Green Party TD Paul Gogarty today paid a moving tribute to his friend and party colleague Fintan McCarthy (34) who died in a crash in China yesterday.
Mr McCarthy's girlfriend Sonia Rabbitte also died along with a Dutch man when the minibus they were travelling in crashed en route to a tourist location by the Great Wall of China.
The Green Party councillor from Lucan sat on South Dublin County Council. He was a close political aide to Mr Gogarty but also a lifelong friend.
"I know him since primary school, long before politics.
"From school trips, to the GAA pitch, to going clubbing on a Thursday night, to camping in Leenane, Fintan was ever-present.
"Along with neighbour Mark Birnie, we formed the 'Three Amigos' when we were teenagers. He was Best Man at Mark's wedding less than a month ago.
"Indeed it became a running joke that Fintan was Best Man at so many weddings that he would have to draw lots at his own one.
"Everyone was so delighted when he and Sonya got together because she was such a lovely, genuine person.
"You could see that they were made for each other and it seemed to be a question of when, not if, they would tie the knot," Mr Gogarty said.
The Dublin West TD paid to tribute to the McCarthy family, who he described as one of the "closest and nicest families you could ever meet".
"My heart goes out to Fintan's family who will be missing him so much and to Sonya's family whose loss will also be unimaginable."
Mr Gogarty also paid tribute to Mr McCarthy's work as a councillor and as a primary school teacher.
He described "a hard-working, tireless campaigner on behalf of the community he grew up in".
"Fintan had so much time to give to his friends, his family, his students and work colleagues, to the Green Party and to his community. His loss leaves a huge gap in the lives of so many people."
"His loss cannot be fully described in words ... In different moments I am consumed with grief and disbelief."