Kenny expresses sympathies with Fennell family

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has expressed his sympathies with the family of Nuala Fennell, who died yesterday at the age of 73.

Ms Fennell, a leading campaigner for women's rights, was a former Fine Gael TD who served as Minister of State for Women's Affairs and Family Law in the 1982-1987 government.

She was the first chair of Irish Women's Aid in the 1970s and was also an executive member of the Irish Council for the Status of Women.

She was first elected to the Dáil in Dublin South in 1981, but retired from public life 10 years later and went on to run a successful public relations company.

Ms Fennell is survived by her husband, her three children and five grandchildren.

Her funeral will take place in south Dublin on Friday.