Independent TD Tony Gregory dies

The independent TD Tony Gregory has died after a long illness.

Mr Gregory had been a TD for Dublin Central since 1982 and achieved national prominence when he supported Charles Haughey in what became known as "Gregory's Deal".

Born in Dublin in 1947, Mr Gregory worked as a secondary school teacher before becoming involved in politics.

He joined Dublin City Council in 1979, and was a former member of Official Sinn Féin and the Irish Republican Socialist Party.

In 1982 he was elected to the Dáil as an independent TD.

It was in that year that he agreed to support then Fianna Fáil leader Haughey in exchange for a cash injection to his deprived inner city Dublin constituency.

He was also a keen campaigner on local issues including drugs and social justice.

Although he never held a Cabinet position, Mr Gregory had long been one of the most recognised members of Dáil Éireann.