Tributes paid as PD Senator Kate Walsh dies aged 60

Progressive Democrats Senator Kate Walsh has died following a long illness.

The 60-year-old, who lived in Co Kildare, was the party's spokesperson on social and family affairs.

For the last 30 years, she had been actively involved in voluntary and community organisations in the north of the county.

In 1982, she became honorary Lord Mayor of Celbridge and topped the poll in the area in the local elections in 1999 with the highest vote of any female candidate in the entire country.

Last month, she said she would not be contesting the upcoming election due to ill health.

The Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, and Minister for Health Mary Harney have both paid tribute to Ms Walsh today, describing her as a "gentle yet brave woman".