"A champion of peace" and "community stalwart" are just some of the tributes that have been paid by local party colleagues to the late Fianna Fail TD for Cavan Monaghan Jimmy Leonard who died yesterday.
Deputy Brendan Smith served in Dail Eireann with Jimmy and he said he will always remember him as a "champion of peace on the island of Ireland."
Deputy Smith added that Jimmy worked "tirelessly" for his constituents and was held in the greatest of respect by all who met and knew him.
The local TD also highlighted how the late Jimmy Leonard was a "progressive thinker" particularly when it came to agriculture and rural affairs.
"Jimmy would have talked and pushed very hard for cross-border co-operation in the darkest of days on our island," said Deputy Smith.
"Rory O'Hanlon, Jimmy and myself were members of the British Irish Parliamentary body in the early 1990s when there were particular strained relations between Ireland and Britain.
"I saw first hand at that time, the great respect that Jimmy had from outside our own jurisdiction."
Deputy Niamh Smith, meanwhile, highlighted how Jimmy made "a significant mark in both national and local politics".
She added that he remained a community activist and key adviser to the party when he retired.
In later years, she continued, Jimmy served as President of the Fianna Fáil Comhairle Dáil Ceantair in Monaghan.
"His commitment to politics both nationally and locally was outstanding," said Deputy Smyth.
"And he was one TD that will leave a lasting legacy in rural Ireland and on the co-operative movement also."
And, Senator Robbie Gallagher described Jimmy as a "legend".
"Jimmy was a very, very hard working politician," he added.
"He served the community very well.
"He enjoyed a long life but it's sad to see such a Fianna Fail legend passing on."
