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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Mark O'Brien

Funeral of Dublin character Gerard Dowling to take place this morning

The funeral of famed Dublin character Gerard Dowling will take place this morning after the artist passed away after a short illness.

The Ballyfermot man hit the headlines 10 years ago when he became embroiled in a legal battle with Dublin City Council over his former studio on Middle Abbey Street.

Dowling, nicknamed "Zorro of the Liffey", lived in the four-storey building for decades.

He displayed some of his art, which was made from materials retrieved from the Liffey at low tide, outside the house.

The artist had tenancy rights for the basement of the property but took over the entire building in 1989, leading to the battle with the council.

He eventually handed back the keys in 2012 and reportedly moved to Letterkenny, Co Donegal where he had another studio.

He died in Harold's Cross hospice on Monday following a short illness.

A post on RIP.ie reads: "Beloved son of the late John Gerard and Rosaleen Dowling, and brother of the late Theresa (Dowling).

"He will be very sadly missed by his sisters Marian (Gardner) and Róisín (Dowling), also by his partner Ruth (Hosty) and brother (Tony (Dowling); his nieces, nephews, all the extended family and many friends."

A service celebrating his life will take place at 11.30am in Mount Jerome Crematorium followed by cremation.

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