Tributes have been paid to the humanitarian priest, Fr Jack Finucane, who has passed away at the age of 80.

He was heavily involved with the work of the charity Concern and its efforts in Africa from the 1960s until his retirement in 2002.

The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Kieran O'Hanlon, said: "On behalf of the people of Limerick, I would like to offer condolences to the Finucane family on the death of Fr Jack.

"It was with great sadness that I heard of Fr Jack Finucane's death. His work with those from developing countries is unsurpassed. From the Biafran region in Nigeria to Bangladesh and Ethiopia, Fr Jack has tended to some of the poorest people in the world.

"Frs Jack and [his brother and fellow priest] Aengus were made Freemen of Limerick in 2005 in recognition of their tireless work in Africa and Asia. He was a wonderful man who dedicated his life to those less fortunate," the mayor added.

President Higgins paid tribute to Jack Finucane, co-founder of @concern, who "embodied the humanitarian spirit". pic.twitter.com/gctOoRWPFH — President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) June 8, 2017

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said on Twitter: "Saddened to learn of the death of Fr Jack Finucane. His life's work is an inspiration to many at home & abroad. May he rest in peace."

"Fr Finucane was sent to Nigeria with the Holy Ghost Fathers and was at the heart of the distribution of aid flown into Biafra by Concern and other relief organisations," said CEO of Concern Worldwide, Dominic MacSorley.

"Following the surrender of Biafra, he was arrested by the Nigerian authorities and spent several weeks in prison before being deported.

"It was the 1984 famine in Ethiopia where Fr Finucane's knowledge of the country, his considerable diplomatic skills enabled Concern to mount a massive response to the crisis.

"By the time that famine received worldwide attention, Concern had a team of 46 expatriates and 890 national staff on the ground.

"He was an adviser to Bob Geldof and his Live Aid team. In 1985, he brought a young Bono on his first trip to Ethiopia and the singer has credited him with having a huge influence on his thinking with regard to international development," said Mr MacSorley.

Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy said that Fr Finucane will forever be a symbol of selflessness, caring and hope.

"In his deeds, he was a hero in that he dedicated his life to protecting and defending the weakest people on our planet," said Bishop Leahy.

"There is no greater Christian calling and he took it up selflessly and courageously, often putting himself at great risk but also completely indifferent to that risk.

"His work and achievements with his brother, the late Fr Aengus Finucane, and others with Concern were remarkable in any context, helping to bring it from a small organisation into a global force that today represents the triumphs of human spirit in how it helps the poorest people right across the world," added Bishop Leahy.