Des O'Malley, founder of Ireland's Progressive Democrats, has died

Des O'Malley, former minister and leader of the Progressive Democrats, has died aged 82.

O'Malley was a former County Limerick politician who served from 1968 until 2002.

He was a prominent Fianna Fáil TD and was first elected in 1968 at the age of 29. He progressed rapidly in his career and within two years, he was elevated to the position of Minister for Justice at the incredible early age of 31 under Taoiseach Jack Lynch.

Des O'Malley was a former County Limerick politician and a prominent Fianna Fáil TD

Des O'Malley went on to serve in several different government departments. A fierce opponent of Charlie Haughey, he was was driven out of the Fianna Fáil party. Following this, he founded the Progressive Democrats in 1985.

He took a strong stance against the IRA, establishing the Special Criminal Court and introducing the Offences Against the State Act.

The law was enacted in the aftermath of the bombing at Omagh and contained a number of important anti-terrorism provisions.

Responding to the announcement of O’Malley’s death today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said O'Malley's life was one of "courage and consequence".

He said he "loved his country and was fearless in challenging those who used violence to undermine it."

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar described Mr. O'Malley as a "giant of politics", who "left a lasting and positive legacy".

His wife, Pat, who he met while a student at University College Dublin, died in 2017. O' Malley is survived by the couple's six children.