The Taoiseach yesterday led tributes to the former minister for justice Seán Doherty who died yesterday as a result of a brain haemorrhage he suffered last Saturday, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent.
Mr Doherty, who would have turned 61 later this month, was described as "colourful and controversial" by both friends and political opponents yesterday after news emerged of his death. He had been on life support in Letterkenny General Hospital since he collapsed suddenly on Saturday night.
He is survived by his wife, Maura, and his daughters, Evelyn, Leah, Cara and Rachel, who was elected as a Roscommon county councillor last year.
Mr Ahern said that Mr Doherty had a political career that "had its full share of controversy and that was seldom far from the centre of events". Mr Doherty was indeed a most controversial minister for justice, and was best known for authorising the tapping of two journalists' phones in 1982, and for his role in ending Charles Haughey's career as taoiseach.
In the latter years of his political career he became a widely liked backbench TD and earned respect for his role in the Public Accounts Committee inquiry into Dirt tax evasion, and his chairing of an inquiry into Iarnród Éireann.
Based in Cootehall, Boyle, Co Roscommon, Mr Doherty was minister for justice during the short-lived Fianna Fáil government in 1982, led by Charles Haughey. During that period he signed warrants for the tapping of the telephones of journalists Bruce Arnold and Geraldine Kennedy, and the controversy ensured he never returned to cabinet. The two journalists later received damages from the State and an apology from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2001.
First elected to the Dáil in 1977 Mr Doherty lost his seat in the 1989 general election. He was elected to the Seanad, serving as cathaoirleach, before being re-elected to the Dáil from which he retired at the 2002 general election. He was a member of Roscommon County Council from 1973 to 2001.
Mr Ahern said Mr Doherty was "a man of very considerable ability and a strong personality. He inspired the loyalty of his friends and the support of his constituents. His company and his conversation were sought out and were never ever dull". Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds said he was a "very colourful figure" and that "plenty of controversy surrounded him". He said he was also a man of "considerable skill".
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte and Green Party leader Trevor Sargent also expressed their condolences, as did Denis Naughten, the Fine Gael deputy for Mr Doherty's former constituency.
The removal of Mr Doherty's remains will take place tomorrow from the home of his brother, Kevin, in Cootehall to St Michael's Church, Cootehall, arriving at 7pm. He will be buried at Ardcarne Cemetery immediately after 11am Mass on Friday.