FIANNA FÁIL LEADER Micheál Martin has paid tribute to Seán French, the former TD, whose funeral was held today in Cork following his death on Christmas Day.

French was a Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central from 1967 to 1982, serving six successive terms in Dáil Eireann. He was also Lord Mayor of Cork in 1976.

Living in Schull in Co Cork, French was 80-years-old when he died on Sunday. He is survived by his wife Patsy.

Speaking after he attended the funeral mass for French in St Patrick’s Church on the Lower Glanmire Road, Martin extended his “deepest sympathies” to the French family.

He said: “Seán made an enormous contribution to public life and public service in Ireland. He served the people of Cork as a councillor, as Lord Mayor of the city, and as a TD. Seán believed in public service and was proud to have been entrusted with those roles by the people.

“I am deeply saddened by Seán’s passing. He was a respected, talented and committed person who worked hard for his local community, for Glen Rovers, and the people he represented.

“Indeed my father canvassed for Seán during his political career and he was held in very high regard in our family. He was a loyal and trusted confidante of former Taoiseach Jack Lynch with whom he represented Cork for many years.