Tributes for TD Nicky McFadden after her death from motor neurone disease
The Taoiseach has led tributes to TD Nicky McFadden who died earlier today.
Deputy McFadden, who represented the constituency of Longford-Westmeath, died at the age of 51.
She was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2012. She was elected to the Seanad in 2007 and to the Dáil in the General Election of 2011.
She had been determined to stay on in her position notwithstanding her illness, and had been tabling written Dáil questions as recently as this month.
She is survived by two adult children.
A visibly upset Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil this afternoon that he was devastated at her passing.
"I called to see Nicky on Friday last after coming from Brussels. This is a terribly debilitating ailment, and I would like to extend my sympathies to her children Carol and Owen, and to all her family," he said.
Our esteemed friend and colleague Nicky McFadden TD, she will be missed. http://t.co/Tge9SfxPjN pic.twitter.com/7EnjFUKmHE
— Fine Gael (@FineGael) March 25, 2014
