A book of condolence in memory of the late educationalist, social advocate and former City Councillor, Don O'Leary, has opened at Cork City Hall.
Mr O'Leary died on Friday aged 68 after a long illness.
He was the director of the Cork Life Centre for 18 years. The centre offers an alternative one-to-one relationship-based education for young people.
Jailed for three years in the late 1980s for membership of the Provisional IRA, Mr O'Leary was elected a member of Cork City Council in 1999 for Sinn Féin.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that Mr O'Leary was passionate about education and had made a significant contribution to creating learning opportunities for young people for whom conventional education did not always suit.
"He believed in the dignity of every individual, and the capacity of every individual to grow".
Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Fergal Dennehy said that "by listening to, respecting and supporting young people, using the Servol Life Centre model, Don guided hundreds of young people, many facing challenges, to a place where they could visualise a future for themselves, where they could self-motivate and could continue their education.
"Perhaps most importantly, he gave them the keys to their future.
"Those who met and knew him, will remember his warmth, humour and unshakeable belief in the potential of every young person.
"His legacy will endure not only in the centre he helped create, but in the lives transformed by his dedication".
Mr O'Leary was buried yesterday at St Michael's Cemetery, Blackrock, following requiem mass at the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree.
