Tributes from the worlds of politics, business and athletics were paid to Noel Carroll last night following his sudden death, apparently from a heart attack, while jogging.
Mr Carroll, who was 56, collapsed while running at the Belfield UCD campus in Dublin. He was taken to St Vincent's Hospital nearby, but efforts to revive him failed.
Mr Carroll, a native of Annagassan, Co Louth, was one of Ireland's early international sporting heroes. An accomplished middle-distance runner, he represented Ireland in the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games. At one time he held the Irish 800m record and was also a former European 800m champion.
But it was as the voice of Dublin Corporation that Mr Carroll earned an enduring place in Irish public life. In 1972 he was appointed by the corporation as its first public relations officer, was interviewed frequently on radio and television, and was quoted in virtually every newspaper report on the corporation.
In 1996 he left the corporation to take up the position of chief executive of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, a position he held at the time of his death.
The chamber's president, Mr Jim Ruane, said Mr Carroll's commitment to Dublin and the chamber had been outstanding.
Mr Carroll's partner in the corporation for many years, the former city manager, Mr Frank Feely, also praised his abilities. "He would go into hell's inferno if necessary to put the corporation's case," he said.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said Mr Carroll had been "a talented sportsman, brilliant communicator and clear-minded thinker". He was "outstanding in his generation," said Mr Ahern.
The Minister responsible for sport, Dr McDaid, said Mr Carroll set an example of sportsmanship and commitment for young people, and was always "upright and honest".
Details of Mr Carroll's funeral are to be announced later.