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The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Mr Alan Shatter T.D. expressed his regret today at the passing of Jim Stynes. Minister Shatter, accompanied by Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia Mr Noel White, was in attendance at the Australian parliament in Canberra this afternoon when warm tributes were paid to Jim Stynes by Prime Minister Gillard and leader of the opposition Mr Tony Abbott.

Speaking afterwards Mr Shatter said,

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic and untimely passing earlier today of Jim Stynes. Through his immense sporting achievements in the AFL and as a Brownlow Medalist,and subsequently through his work with young people with the Reach organisation, Jim touched the lives of many people. The decision of the Australian authorities to honour Jim with a State Funeral is an indication of the high esteem in which he was rightly held and a fitting tribute to man who devoted his life to the wellbeing of others. His death is a great loss which will be deeply felt by his many friends and admirers in Ireland and in Australia, but most of all by his wife and family to whom I express my deepest condolences. "