Former Bishop of Galway Eamon Casey has died, aged 89.

He had been battling illness for several years and had been living in a nursing home in Co Clare.

He resigned from his position in 1992, after it emerged he had fathered a son with American woman Annie Murphy in the early seventies.

Eamon Casey arrives back in Ireland off the ferry at Dublin Port, Sunday Feburary 5, 2006, after being exiled for 14 years.

 
Archbishop Eamon Martin has paid tribute to Eamonn Casey, saying his ministry both as a priest and a bishop was of immense significance.

In a statement, Bishop Casey's family, including his son Peter and brother Micheál, said he was a great source of love and support.

President Michael D Higgins has expressed his sadness at Bishop Casey's death, praising his work as Chairman of Trócaire. The charity has also issued a statement, saying his work benefited millions of people around the world.

Eamon Casey was ordained a Catholic priest in 1951. He was appointed Bishop of Kerry 18 years later, and Bishop of Galway in 1976. 

However, he will be best remembered by many for the scandal that rocked the Catholic church in Ireland in the early 90s.

The controversy also produced one of Irish television's most memorable moments. Annie Murphy appeared on the Late Late Show in 1993, and was met with a sometimes hostile response from the audience.

 Annie Murphy displays the birth certificate of her son Peter, who was born in 1974.