Mr Tom McEllistrim, who died yesterday aged 68, was a former Dail deputy, minister of State, senator and chairman of Kerry County Council. He succeeded his late father, also Tom McEllistrim, to the North Kerry seat in 1969.
He was appointed minister of state in the Department of Finance by the then Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, in 1979. He lost his Dail seat in 1987 ail, and was a surprise appointment to the Seanad by Mr Haughey. He regained his Dail seat in 1989 but lost it again to Mr Denis Foley in 1992.
He is survived by his wife, Marie. His body will be removed to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballymacelligott, this evening at 8 p.m. and the burial at Clogher Cemetery will follow 10 a.m. Mass tomorrow.