Tributes have been paid to Limerick Fianna Fáil councillor Jerry O'Dea who has died at the age of 55.
Mr O’Dea was first elected to Limerick City and County Council in 2014 and was re-elected in 2019. He served as Mayor of Limerick Metropolitan District in 2015.
He was a publican by trade and represented the Limerick City East constituency.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was "deeply saddened to learn of the death of our Party colleague and friend Cllr Jerry O'Dea".
Mr Martin said: "Having canvassed with Jerry on many occasions, I saw up-close his deep commitment to his area, its people and his city. To hear of his death is a very sad occasion.
"Jerry was a proud Limerick man as well as a proud member of Fianna Fáil and the Party will miss him and his representation."
The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said there was "shock and sadness" at the sudden death of Jerry O’Dea overnight.
Mayor Butler said: "Since being elected, Jerry prioritised working with communities right across Limerick to help them develop, as he believed that a stronger and better Limerick was built from the ground up. Sporting and local groups were central to this. They will all miss his important advice and guidance."
The council said today that, "as a mark of respect, a special meeting of Limerick City and County Council will take place next week, and that the Irish flag will be flown at half-mast at corporate buildings in Merchant’s Quay and Dooradoyle".
