Co-founder of Women's Aid and long-serving MEP Mary Banotti dies aged 84

Nora Owen and Mary Banotti pictured at Leinster House to mark International Women's Day 2024

Long-serving MEP Mary Banotti, a grand-niece of Michael Collins, has died.

Leading condolences, Taoiseach Simon Harris described her as “a talented politician, a trailblazer and a joy to be around.” Ms Banotti served as an MEP for Dublin from 1984 to 2004 and was Fine Gael’s candidate in the 1997 presidential election.