Tributes paid to singer Joe Dolan

The well-known singer took ill on Christmas night

Tributes have been paid to the Irish singer Joe Dolan who died aged 64 from a suspected brain haemorrhage in Dublin on Wednesday.

The entertainer took ill at his home in Foxrock on Christmas night and died in the Mater Hospital just after 0300 GMT pm on St Stephen's Day.

Father Brian D'Arcy, speaking on Radio Ulster, said Mr Dolan was "a one-off, unique and brilliant individual".

"He was a great friend, a wonderful man who helped charity," he said.

"He brought out an album just before Christmas and some of the tracks, Nat King Cole and things like that, and they are just superb."

A former showband singer, Mr Dolan enjoyed musical success for over 40 years in Ireland and around the world.

From Mullingar in Westmeath, he was best known for hits such as Good Looking Woman and Make Me an Island.

A statement issued on behalf of Mr Dolan's family said he was a "most charitable and unassuming man who often gave of his time and undoubted talent to support those less fortunate then himself".