Ireland’s oldest citizen dies aged 109

A Co Mayo woman, who was the oldest living Irish citizen, has passed aged 109.

Molly Madden, who lived most of her life at Ballycastle, Ballina, never smoked or drank alcohol, according to her family.

She also was a firm believer in eating plenty of fresh fish, of which there was always a good supply in her coastal community, and home cooked foods.

Ms Madden, who was predeceased in 2009 by her husband, Pat, died peacefully at Moy Ridge Nursing Home, Ballina.

She will be buried on Monday in Ballycastle Cemetery.

Ms Madden was born in Co Galway in December 1906 but moved with her family to north Mayo at an early age.

One of her grandsons John Madden, who played in goal for Mayo in the 1996 All-Ireland final, said in a recent newspaper interview that her descendants were proud of her longevity.

Ms Madden had been resident at Moy Ridge Nursing Home for about nine years.