Tributes have been paid to social justice campaigner Father Tony Coote, who has died at the age of 55.
He had battled motor neurone disease for over a year after being diagnosed in March 2018.
Fr Coote was the administrator of Mount Merrion and Kilmacud parishes in Dublin.
Last summer, he undertook a 550 km walk from Donegal to Cork - ultimately raising €600,000 to help the motor neurone disease community.
The news of his death was confirmed by the Archdiocese of Dublin, with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin paying tribute to Fr Coote:
The death has taken place of Fr. Tony Coote. RIP
"Tony showed all of us how strength can be witnessed even in the face of human weakness. His courage leaves all of us more humble. May the Lord welcome & give him the deep peace to which he witnessed in his suffering.” - AB Martin— Archdiocese of Dublin (@dublindiocese) August 28, 2019
Culture Minister Josepha Madigan said she was devastated to hear of Fr Coote's death.
She described him as a "true beacon of light & inspiration" who "turned a negative into a positive like only he could".
The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) said Fr Coote bore his illness "with tremendous dignity" and became a "tireless advocate for everyone living with MND".
IMNDA CEO Roisin Duffy said: "The €600,000 he raised is already making a real impact on Ireland’s MND community.
"On September 14th next, that community will again 'Walk While You Can' in Father Tony’s memory as he would have wanted."
She added: "Father Tony’s family and wide circle of friends, we at the IMNDA offer our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.
"We pledge to honour his memory, and continue to support his vision for a world free of MND.”
