The Fianna Fáil community has been left reeling after the sudden and unexpected death of a young Meath councillor.
Cllr Damien O'Reilly (40) from Dunboyne passed away on Saturday morning in the village. It is believed he had been complaining of chest pains ahead of his passing.
The Cathaoirleach of Ratoath Municipal Council worked as a personal assistant in Leinster House to Senator Aidan Davitt and worked tirelessly for the Meath community since his election onto Meath County Council in 2014,
Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Fianna Fáil's Tommy Reilly said the young Councillor was 'destined for the top'.
"I'm just lost for words this morning.He was also a close friend and other councillors used to laugh and say he was my adopted son. I'm just so shocked and saddened.
"He was a hard worker and was always there to help everyone who needed anything. He was really going places and had a bright future ahead of him. He had also just completed a Masters in Engineering.
"Fianna Fáil, Meath and Dunboyne have had a huge loss today and I send my sympathies to his mother Phil, partner Lisa and family."
Meanwhile, Navan based Senator Shane Cassells said Cllr O'Reilly's death was being met with devastation across the county by all parties
"He was an incredibly popular figure both in the Fianna Fáil family and among councillors in all parties
"He was a big poll topper in the last local elections which was a big indicator of the huge respect people had for him. We are all just devastated at the news."
