'Courageous' Hugh Cooney laid to rest today following two-year battle with cancer

Warm tributes have been paid to Hugh Cooney, former chairman of Enterprise Ireland, who passed away this week after a lengthy battle with cancer.

The Offaly man, who two years ago was diagnosed with stage four cancer of the colon, was widely praised for his recent appearance on the Late Late Show where he sought to highlight the importance of early cancer detection.

At the time, the 63-year-old said men in particular need to pay more attention to their bodies and need to be more willing to go to the doctor with health concerns, no matter how insignificant they may seem.