Dublin TD Tony Gregory dies

Independent TD Tony Gregory has died at the age of 61.

Look back at Tony Gregory's career with Michéal Lehane's video obituary, his One to One interview with Aine Lawlor, the political reaction and our exclusive gallery

The Dublin Central independent TD passed away today after a long illness.

Reacting to the news, Sinn Féin councillor Christy Burke said Dublin Central had lost a champion for those marginalised in our society.

'It's the people's loss. There will never be another Tony Gregory,' Mr Burke said.

Born on 5 December 1947, Mr Gregory was first elected to the Dáil in 1982. He was a member of Dublin City Council from 1979 until 2004.

Tony Gregory first came to national prominence when he negotiated a multi-million pound deal for the north inner city to ensure his support for the minority Fianna Fáil Government in 1982.

He was first elected that year as an independent left wing TD, although he had started out as a member of Official Sinn Féin and was later a founder member of the breakaway Irish Republican Socialist Party.

But he often said he felt he could best represent his constituents as an independent, rather than being strangled by party politics.

On his first day in the Dáil he caused comment when he turned up not wearing a tie, he explained many of his constituents could not afford ties.

Later in the 1980s, he served time in Mountjoy Prison along with Cllr Burke in support of Moore Street traders.

Originally from the North Strand area of the north inner city, he worked for a time as a history teacher before entering politics.

He is survived by his brother Noel and partner Annette.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: 'Tony served his community of the inner city at a national level with great dedication and distinction for over a quarter of a century.

'He was a proud Dubliner, a great advocate for his community and a diligent public representative. Tony was always courteous and had a fine sense of humour.'

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny paid tribute to Mr Gregory's work in helping his constituents.

Mr Kenny said: 'He was an original mould-breaker, both in creating the Gregory Deal, so influential in transforming inner city Dublin, and in refusing to wear a tie in the Chamber of the Dáil, thus disrupting the cosy comfort of Dáil tradition.

'Tony Gregory was a fearless defender of his inner city constituents, proud of his heritage, and absolutely courageous in standing up to drug barons and drug pushers.

'I admired his conviction and his total commitment to his people. We shall miss him.'

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was sorry to hear of Mr Gregory's death.

Mr Ahern said: 'Though Tony and I come from different political traditions, we both shared a deep commitment to our constituents and a desire to help the less well-off in our society.

'I have always readily acknowledged that Tony Gregory was one of the hardest working TDs in the Dáil. He will be greatly missed by his constituents who he worked so passionately for over the years.'

Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said Mr Gregory had served his constituents with dignity and added: 'It was known that in recent times, Tony's health was not good, but he bore his illness with remarkable courage, and never let it deflect him from his duties as a legislator and as a representative of the people in his constituency.'

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said Mr Gregory's death was a 'painful blow to his family, friends and the wider community of Dublin Central'.

The Green Party's Patricia McKenna said: 'Tony was a good friend to me in my work and was always willing to help in anyway he could. As a public representative, Tony never lost his moral compass unlike so many others of his generation.'