The former bishop of Kildare Dr Laurence Ryan has died at the age of 72.
A native of Co Carlow, Dr Ryan was ordained in 1956. He taught at St Patrick's College, Carlow, and later served as its president.
He was the parish priest in Naas, Co Kildare, for five years beginning in 1980. Dr Ryan was made Coadjutor Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin in 1985 and succeeded the late Dr Patrick Lennon as Bishop in 1987.