Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary O’Rourke will be laid to rest today in Athlone.
O’Rourke, who passed away at the age of 87, will have her funeral mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Coosan followed by burial in Coosan cemetery.
Survived by her two sons, Feargal and Aengus, O’Rourke was a prominent figure in Irish politics, serving as a TD for almost three decades and holding key ministerial positions.
Political leaders such as Micheál Martin, President Michael D Higgins, and Taoiseach Simon Harris have paid tribute to O’Rourke, acknowledging her significant impact on Irish society and her dedication to public service.
Known for her magnetic personality and wicked sense of humor, O’Rourke was a force to be reckoned with, breaking barriers in the male-dominated political arena.
Her legacy as the ‘mammy of the Dáil’ will be remembered for years to come, as a trailblazer and advocate for change.