Tributes paid as former Fine Gael MEP Mary Banotti dies aged 84

James Cox

President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to former Fine Gael MEP Mary Banotti, who has died at the age of 84.

Ms Banotti was the grandniece of Michael Collins, was the co-founder of Women's Aid and served as chairperson of the Rutland Centre for Drug Abuse.

She was elected to the European Parliament in 1984 and retained her seat until her retirement in 2004.

Ms Banotti was Fine Gael's candidate in the 1997 presidential election, where she finished second to Fianna Fáil's Mary McAleese.

She began her political career after working as a nurse in London, the US, Canada and Kenya.

In a statement, President Michael D. Higgins said she "made a very significant contribution to Irish life, both in her 20 years of service to the people of Dublin as a Member of the European Parliament".

Earlier, Taoiseach Simon Harris described her as "a talented politician, a trailblazer and a joy to be around".