Controversial Haughey dies at family home

Former Taoiseach Charles Haughey has died at his home in the Kinsealy area of Dublin at the age of 80.

Mr Haughey passed away this morning with his family by his bedside following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer and a heart condition.

The former Fianna Fáil leader was a highly controversial figure and has rarely been out of the headlines in the last 35 years.

He was first elected to the Dáil in 1957, but was sacked from his ministerial position in 1970 after he was accused of importing arms for the IRA.

Mr Haughey returned to the front bench in 1975 and went on to become Taoiseach in 1979.

In 1992, he was forced to resign when it emerged that he was aware of the tapping of the telephones of two journalists.

His legacy has been tarnished every since, with the Moriarty Tribunal investigating a series of payments totalling £18m that he received from senior businessmen over an 18-year period.

At one stage, he faced criminal charges for obstructing the work of the tribunal.

He was also found to have spent large sums of Fianna Fáil money on Charvet shirts and dinners at the exclusive Le Coq Hardi restaurant in Dublin.

Despite his failings, Mr Haughey will be remembered by many supporters as the man who laid the foundation for the Celtic Tiger and the peace process in the North.

He will also be remembered for introducing tax-free status for artists and for promoting the bloodstock industry and the International Financial Services Centre.

The 80-year-old is survived by his wife, Maureen, his daughter Eimear and his sons Sean, Conor and Ciaran.

Reports this morning said preparations were already being made for a state funeral, with Mr Haughey himself requesting a Requiem Mass at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Donnycarney.

He has also reportedly chosen to be buried at St Fintan's churchyard in Sutton.