Mary O'Rourke: A lioness in Winter 

Mary O'Rourke was a genuine trailblazer for women in public life and will be remembered with affection, writes Joan Burton

Former Fianna Fáil deputy leader and government minister Mary O'Rourke who passed away this week at the age of 87.

Last year I heard at a social function that Mary O’Rourke had gone to live in a care home where an old rival, the late Mary Bannoti, was also a resident. I have no idea what kind of interactions they had, although I imagine they were lively and friendly.

A creative dramatist might well find a lot of imaginary dialogue in those conversations over breakfast as both perused current events in the morning papers and the radio shows.