FIANNA FÁIL LEADER Micheál Martin’s father, Paddy Martin, has died. He was 89.

A celebrated boxer, Martin passed away in Cork city yesterday following a short illness. The party’s deputy leader Éamon Ó Cuív paid tribute saying he was “deeply saddened to hear of the death”.

“I want to extend my deepest condolences, along with those of my Parliamentary Party colleagues and the entire Fianna Fáil organisation, to Micheál, his brothers and sisters, and the Martin family at this time,” Ó Cuiv said in a statement last night.

The Irish Independent reports that Paddy Martin was a well-known international amateur boxer from the north of Cork city. He reportedly never went down in a fight and in his later years worked as a bus driver for CIE. He is survived by his five children and 14 grandchildren.

His removal is expected to take place tomorrow night in Turners Cross in the city.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams also offered his condolences to the family last night: ”My thoughts and sympathies are with Mícheál Martin and his family this evening after the death of Paddy Martin. Go ndeanfaidh dia trocaire ar a n’anam dilse.”