Political tributes: Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday described Seán Doherty as a man of considerable ability who inspired the loyalty of his friends and the support of his constituents.
As Government and Opposition figures paid tribute to the former minister for justice, Mr Ahern recalled that he was first elected to the Dáil on the same day as Mr Doherty in 1977.
He said Mr Doherty had entered politics after a promising early career in the Garda Síochána. He "enjoyed a career that had its full share of controversy and was seldom far from the centre of events".
He said Mr Doherty's company and conversation were sought out "and were never, ever dull".
"In latter years, Seán was also a man of renewed and deep religious belief, and I know his faith was a very important part of his life."
He noted that he had died just a few weeks short of his 61st birthday, and a few weeks after he buried his own mother.
"On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Fianna Fáil party, I wish to pay tribute to a colleague and a friend of nearly 30 years.
"My thoughts at this time are with his wife, Maura, and his daughters Rachel, Cara, Leah and Evelyn."
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte extended his condolences to Mr Doherty's wife and his family.
"Seán Doherty was a controversial minister, a diligent member of the Public Accounts Committee and a hard-working constituency TD."
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent described Mr Doherty as "a man who never stopped learning". He said Mr Doherty "had to live with the legacy of the Haughey era more than most of his contemporaries". However, his subsequent achievements should also be recognised.
"I worked with him on the Public Entreprise Committee. His enthusiasm was vital in improving opportunities for renewable energy and facing up to the dangers of flooding along the River Shannon basin.
"Seán had a strong faith, and may this also be a strength to his family at this most difficult time. On behalf of the Green Party, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends."
The Fine Gael TD for Mr Doherty's former Longford/ Roscommon constituency, Denis Naughten, said he had learned of Mr Doherty's death with immense sadness. He expressed his sympathy to the family on his own behalf and on behalf of Fine Gael. "Seán Doherty was a political legend in his lifetime, nowhere more so than in his native Roscommon where he was the last cabinet minister for the county."
Describing him as one of life's great characters, Mr Naughten said Mr Doherty's death was "a shattering blow" to his family who had been at his bedside over the last number of days.
"Many people will remember different aspects of Seán's life. On the national stage he will be remembered as justice minister; as a high-profile casualty of the 1989 general election and European election; as cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann; and as a member of the Public Accounts Committee.
"People throughout Co Roscommon will remember him for the support and assistance which he provided as a constituency TD so willingly over his long political career."
He said those who knew him personally would remember him as "someone of extreme wit and good humour" who could always see the lighter side of life.
"Most of all he was someone who idolised his family, and he will be an immense loss as a husband, a father and a grandfather."
Progressive Democrat TD for Longford Mae Sexton expressed sadness at the news of Mr Doherty's death. She expressed her sympathy to the family of a man who was "a tireless worker at a local level" and "a very committed constituency politician".