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Tue, 31st Jul 2012

Tributes paid to 'national treasure' Maeve Binchy

Maeve Binchy's been remembered this morning as a writer who told the truth about people.

Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker believes that's why her 16 novels were so popular - and earned her a place as one of Ireland's best loved writers.

The 72-year-old passed away in hospital last night, with her husband, children's writer Gordon Snell by her side.

The Taoiseach has offered his condolences on the passing of Maeve Binchy.

Enda Kenny says we've lost a national treasure, whom he says is a huge loss, 'wherever stories of love, hope, generosity and possibility are read and cherished'.

In a statement just issued this morning, he says that as a nation, we are 'thankful for and proud of the writer and the woman Maeve Binchy'.

Mr Kenny's offered his deepest sympathies, and those of the government and Irish people to her husband and extended family.