President Higgins pays tribute to late tycoon Tony O'Reilly

Mr O’Reilly established The Ireland Funds with Dan Rooney and Patricia Rooney in 1976, at the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland.

Chief executive of lobby group Ibec Danny McCoy said Mr O’Reilly’s “impact as a business leader was extraordinary.”

The President as well as philanthropists and business groups are among those who have paid tribute to the late Tony O’Reilly, former Heinz chief executive and rugby legend.

Mr O’Reilly, who was once among the wealthiest people in the Republic, died in a Dublin hospital on Saturday, May 18 at the age of 88.