FORMER FIANNA FÁIL TD Michael Fitzpatrick has died aged 69.

The one-term TD for Kildare North had been suffering from motor neurone disease, a degenerative disorder that affects cells in the body that control voluntary muscle activity.

Fitzpatrick was first elected to the Dáil in 2007 having served on Kildare County Council since 1999 where he also served as Lord Mayor.  Formerly a member of the Garda Síochana, he also served as constituency manager for the former Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy.

Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in February 2010 but at the time he vowed to stay in the Dáil.

He lost his seat at the recent general election where he polled 5 per cent of the first preferences vote, going out in the second count.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin paid tribute to his former colleague in a statement today:

Michael was a true gentleman. He never took for granted the honour of being a member of Dáil Éireann.

His honesty and generosity of spirit earned him the respect of all sides of the House.

He will be sadly missed. I wish to extend my sympathies to Michael’s wife Maureen and his son Daragh.

The annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown in Co Kildare this Sunday has been cancelled as a mark of respect.