The funeral of a former cabinet minister and Longford-Westmeath TD will take place later this morning. Paddy Cooney, from Griffith Street, Athlone passed away last Saturday at the Heritage Clinic in Dublin after a short illness. He held several cabinet roles in the 1970s and 1980s, serving as Minister for Education, Minister for Defence, Minister for Transport, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and Minister for Justice. He served as minister in the cabinets of Liam Cosgrave and Garrett Fitzgerald and as an MEP and senator for Fine Gael.
Tánaiste Simon Harris paid tribute to Mr Cooney, saying he was a man of "tremendous integrity" who possessed a "genuine passion" for politics and working to improve the lives of his constituents. In accordance with his wishes, his body has been donated to medical science. The funeral mass will be celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Athlone at 10:30am.
