Liam Cosgrave, former taoiseach of Ireland, aged 97

Former Irish taoiseach Liam Cosgrave has died at the age of 97.

The death of the former Fine Gael leader was announced in the Dail parliament where current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar led expressions of sympathy and tributes.

“Liam Cosgrave was someone who devoted his life to public service. A grateful country thanks and honours him for that and for always putting the nation first,” Mr Varadkar said.

“Throughout his life he worked to protect and defend the democratic institutions of our state and showed great courage and determination in doing so.”

Mr Cosgrave was born in 1920 and was part of the government that declared Ireland a Republic in 1949.

He is survived by his three children, Mary, Liam and Ciaran.

Mr Cosgrave joined Fine Gael at 17 and studied law at University College Dublin.

He was regarded as having a good relationship with unionist leader Brian Faulkner, who introduced internment but became central to the power-sharing deal.

Micheal Martin, the leader of Ireland’s main opposition party, Fianna Fail, added his tribute, noting Mr Cosgrave’s position at the forefront of Irish politics as the Troubles in Northern Ireland broke out.

“Throughout all those years he showed real grit, resilience and determination both in opposition and in government,” Mr Martin said.

Liam Cosgrave.