‘The Champ’ was a vital political inspiration

The man responsible for starting Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on his political career died yesterday afternoon.

Paddy “The Champ” Martin was a boxer, a bus driver, a trade unionist, a sports fan, a lifelong Fianna Fáil activist and the father to its current leader, Micheál.

As he approached 80 years of age, his health had deteriorated and his family were with him throughout the weekend.