Des O'Malley. Photo: Rollingnews.ie Bishop Brendan Leahy has described former minister Des O’Malley as a man of “courage and decency”. The former leader of the Progressive Democrats was laid to rest following requiem Mass in Dublin on Friday.
He represented Limerick in the Dáil for many years and served in numerous ministries, including the Department of Justice.
On hearing the news of his death, Dr Leahy said: “Unfortunately, I did not have the pleasure of knowing Des O’Malley personally but the picture painted of him by those who knew him over the years, including priests of the diocese, was not just of a man and politician of unbreakable integrity but a devoted family man.
“He had a deep love for his late wife Pat, his children and grandchildren and it was clearly a shared love. So, for all that he did in the political world, it’s essential too as we pay tribute to him that we acknowledge just what family meant to him,” the bishop said.