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Progressive Democrats Founder, & Former Minister, Des O'Malley Has Died.

File image: Des O'Mally/RollingNews

He was first elected to the Dáil in 1968

Former Minister and founder of the Progressive Democrats Des O'Malley has died aged 82.

He was first elected to the Dáil in 1968 as a Fianna Fail TD for Limerick and was appointed Minister for Justice in 1970.

He was expelled from the party in 1984 and went on to found the Progressive Democrats the following year.

Des O'Malley led the PDs into a coalition government with Fianna Fail in 1989.

He stepped down as leader in 1993 but remained a TD until he retired in 2002.

Newbridge man, John Downing, is Political Correspondent at the Irish Independent.

He joined Eoin Beatty on Wednesday's edition of Kildare Today.

 

Former Taoiseach John Bruton says Des O' Malley had a strong sense of the integrity of the state:

Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys, has issued a statement on Mr. O'Malley's death:

"I would like to offer my condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of Des O'Malley.

Aged just 31, Des O'Malley was appointed Minister for Justice at one of the most difficult and threatening times in the State’s history.

Des, his late wife Pat and their family endured great risk including threats from those who sought to undermine the authority of this State but Des never wavered in his duty and commitment to preserving our State and the safety and security of all its people. 

The steadfast service Des O’Malley gave to our State will never be forgotten by all those who cherish law and order.

He was a republican in the truest sense of the word, one who broke the mould of Irish politics and helped modernise our society and our economy.

May he rest in peace."

President, Michael D. Higgins, has paid this tribute:

"As President of Ireland, I offer my sympathy to all who will have been saddened by the death of Des O’Malley.
The news of the death of Des O’Malley will have been received with great sadness by all, across the political spectrum. His contribution to public life as founder and leader of a political party, as Cabinet Minister and as Dáil Deputy, was extensive and meaningful.
His deep commitment to serving the people of Limerick, to the Republic, and to the parliamentary process, since he was first elected to the Dáil in 1968 stands as an outstanding example of dedicated public service, often delivered under great pressure.
Des O’Malley had a major influence on Irish politics, and his legacy and integrity includes a major contribution to the role of coalitions in Irish government formation. Those of us who had the privilege of working with him in the Oireachtas will also remember him as courteous, courageous and principled. As a friend he was gifted with a wry sense of humour, which he shared with generosity and a gift for irony.

Sabina and I send our sincere condolences to his family, former colleagues and friends.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam dílis."

The Taoiseach has led tributes to Des O'Malley

Our Political Correspondent Seán Defoe has this report

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