Tributes have been paid to former minister for agriculture Joe Walsh, who died yesterday following an illness.
Elected to the Dáil in 1977, Mr Walsh was a Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South West until 2007, with the exception of the period from June 1981 to February 1982 during which time he was a senator.
Mr Walsh served as minister for agriculture from from 1992 to 1994 and from 1997 to 2004.
Mr Walsh was described as a man of vision and a gentleman at the weekly meeting of Cork County Council, where he was first elected in 1974.
The Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture also offered condolences to Mr Walsh’s family, saying he was calm and reassuring at times of crisis, especially during the foot-and-mouth crises in 2001.
Mr Walsh’s body will repose at his home on Emmet Square in Clonakilty from 4pm, followed by a rosary at 8pm.
A requiem mass will take place at 1pm tomorrow in the parish church in Clonakilty, followed by burial at Ahiohill Cemetery.
