Oldest citizen in State aged 107

A woman believed to have been the oldest living person in the State has died aged 107.

A woman believed to have been the oldest living person in the State has died aged 107.

Mrs Mary O'Neill from Walkinstown, Dublin, who was born on August 20th 1892, had been in hospital in recent weeks after a sudden decline in her health. Her death came just 24 hours after the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs confirmed she had been the oldest person in receipt of social welfare.

Mr Gay Mitchell TD, who had known Mrs O'Neill since he hosted her 100th birthday party in the Mansion House when he was Lord Mayor, had written to the Department requesting this information.

Paying tribute to her last night, he said "she was a great character, a lovely woman, very gentle." The secret of her longevity, she told him, was a half whiskey every night.