Jim Mitchell loses long fight with cancer

FORMER Fine Gael deputy leader Jim Mitchell lost his three-year battle with cancer yesterday morning when he died in Dublin.

Mr Mitchell will be most remembered for his outstanding performance as chairman of the Public Accounts sub- committee that investigated the DIRT tax evasion scam in 1999 which netted 400m in back taxes.

It was the first time a Dáil sub-committee had taken on an investigative role and Mr Mitchell was determined that this type of inquiry would be seen as a viable alternative to expensive and bureaucratic tribunals.