South Roscommon councillor and Fine Gael general election candidate, John Naughten, has died suddenly.
His body was found in Drum, Athlone, yesterday evening, in what is being treated as a personal tragedy.
A Garda spokesman said: "Foul play is not suspected. A file will be prepared for the coroner."
Naughten has been a councillor since 2004 and was recently chosen to represent the party in the general election in Roscommon-Galway, after beating Ballinasloe senator Aisling Dolan in a selection convention.
The cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Paschal Fitzmaurice, is paying tribute to Naughten, who was aged in his 50s.
Fine Gael's Frank Feighan has been a close colleague of his for two decades, as a local TD and senator.
South Roscommon councillor Laurence Fallon has been a friend of his for several decades - he has been paying tribute.
