Former Fine Gael TD and Senator Louis J Belton has died aged 79 following an illness.
Mr Belton began his political career as a councillor on Longford County Council.
He was elected to the 26th Dáil for the constituency of Longford-Westmeath in 1989.
Mr Belton lost his seat at the 1992 general election when contesting the revised constituency of Longford-Roscommon but was later elected to the Seanad.
Mr Belton regained his seat following the 1997 general election but lost it again in 2002.
The Belton family were stepped in Fine Gael and Mr Belton's late brother Paddy was also a former Fine Gael County Councillor on Longford County Council.
