'It's all over. It's kind of unbelievable': Mary O'Rourke

Brian Lenihan's aunt Mary O'Rourke has said he nephew Brian Lenihan, who passed away overnight, "always worked for his country and he worked for the best of Ireland".

Ms O'Rourke, the former TD and Senator, said in a brief and emotional interview with RTE's Pat Kenny: "It’s all over. It’s kind of unbelievable.

“He always worked for his country and he worked for the best of Ireland and I suppose in the end what anybody in public life would wish to do, and that’s what he did,

“I just feel my life has almost ended, I really do.”

Mr Lenihan died at home with his family at his side.