A nephew of Athlone woman Mary O'Rourke says she was a welcoming and encouraging woman - but she wasn't to be crossed. The former government minister died at the age of 87 yesterday. Tributes have been paid to O'Rourke from across the political divide. Taoiseach Simon Harris says she was a force to be reckoned with. Her nephew and former junior minister, Conor Lenihan, has also been remembering her fondly, saying she was a determined woman:
For several years, O'Rourke was on the board of RHS Homecare, which is based in Roscommon. Its director of services Veronica Barrett has also paid tribute to her.
The 87-year-old's remains will repose in the Strand Funeral Home in Athlone on Sunday from 3 o'clock to 6 o'clock. Her funeral Mass will be held in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Coosan at 12 noon on Monday, with burial afterwards in Coosan cemetery. Lenihan says it will be a celebration of her long life.
The President Michael D Higgins said she had a shrewd and magnetic approach to politics and politicians.
