A retired auxiliary bishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Williams, died suddenly yesterday aged 76.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said he and the priests of the diocese were greatly saddened. He said Bishop Williams was a person whose work for the poor of Dublin was extraordinary, done without fanfare.
Bishop Williams was born in Dún Laoghaire in April 1930. Ordained in June 1955, he was a chaplain to Presentation College, Bray, and became secretary to archbishop John Charles McQuaid. He helped develop the Share fund in 1974. In 1980 he became chairman of the Catholic Social Service Conference, now Crosscare. He had a special pastoral concern for Travellers. In 1993 he tendered his resignation as auxiliary bishop due to ill health. He continued visiting prisoners, however, retaining an active interest in penal reform.