The President has paid tribute to Big Tom McBride after a statue of the late country and western singer was unveiled in Castleblaney, County Monaghan.

It would be a stretch to say that Tom McBride — Big Tom to his legion of fans — who died aged 81 yesterday morning was uniquely Irish but it is hard to imagine another culture that would have so warmly embraced and cherished him.

The sad news was announced this morning that Irish country music legend Big Tom McBride has died.