The death occurred yesterday of Mr Michael Harney, father of the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. He had been in Peamount Hospital, Newcastle, for some months.
Mr Harney, who was born in Ahascragh, Co Galway, in 1919, came to Co Dublin to farm at Newcastle in 1953, when his first child, Mary, was only weeks old.
Mr Harney is survived by his wife, Sarah, five children, Mary, Lar, Michael, Richard and Geraldine, six grandchildren, his sisters, Mary and Teasie, and brother, Tommy.
The Taoisach, Mr Ahern, and the Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, both contacted the Tanaiste yesterday to offer their condolences.
Mr Harney's remains will be removed from the family home this evening, arriving at St Finian's Church, Newcastle, at 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be tomorrow at noon, followed by burial in Newcastle cemetery.