Labour Senator Jimmy Harte resigns from Upper House

Labour Senator Jimmy Harte has resigned from the Seanad.

The Donegal man suffered significant head injuries in a fall in Dublin in November 2013 and is still undergoing rehabilitative care.

Tributes were paid to Mr Harte in the Seanad on Wednesday following the announcement of his resignation.

Mr Harte, a married father of four, who previously worked as an insurance broker, is a son of former Fine Gael minister of state Paddy Harte. The Senator had himself been a member of Fine Gael, but broke with the party and later joined Labour.

Seanad leader Maurice Cummins expressed the hope that Mr Harte “will recover in the weeks and months ahead. It is sad that he had to resign his seat under the circumstances but we wish him well.”

Labour Senator John Gilroy described him as a great colleague and friend and said he would be a sad loss to the Seanad.

Fianna Fáil leader Darragh O’Brien Jimmy described him as “an absolute gentlemen. Jimmy’s had a rough couple of years and I hope his health in retirement improves.”

Independent Marie Louise O’Donnell also paid tribute and said he had the quality of “fearlessness” which few Senators had.