Micheál Martin has viewers in tears as he opens up on personal tragedy

"Horrific what he went through."

Martin was appearing on Virgin Media Television's, The Assembly Ireland, where he faced questions from a number of autistic and neurodivergent journalists.

The group asked Martin a number of questions, with some funny, some awkward, and some emotional.

However, the most emotional moment of the show came when Martin was asked about his personal experience with grief.

The Taoiseach then spoke of how his and his wife Mary's son Ruairí died in 1999 at just five weeks old.

An Assembly member asked Martin: "What motivates you despite this loss of life? In them times of grief, what motivates you to just go on?"

The Taoiseach explained: "Ruairi died from a cot death at five weeks old. And up to that stage of our lives, we had never experienced that kind of trauma, but that hit me for six at the time.

"The two children, Micheal Aodh and Aoibhe were four and two, respectively. And you know what? You have to get up the following morning to get them breakfast and to play, and something of the human instinct, you continue on. You keep going."

More tragedy followed when their daughter Léana died shortly before her eighth birthday in 2010.

"When Léana died, we didn’t expect that at the time, but you know that was absolutely devastating. And that was hard and there was a lot of soul searching at the time.

"You could retreat and not do things and I was young enough at the time. But if I had retired at that time or didn’t go on, I think that would have had a worse effect on my life.

"Working, routine and nature are very, very important to kind of overcome or deal with trauma. It never brings your loved ones back, but it enables you to try and live life to the best of your ability and to the fullest extent that you possibly can."

Many viewers praised the interview online, with one saying: "Not a fan of him but he handled that very well. Horrific what he went through."

A second commented: "This is a remarkable programme with a lot of thought, research & planning put into it. I was really touched by the group involved. Great collaboration. And well done to Michaèl Martin, sending condolences & comfort to him , his wife Mary & their family. Looking forward to next week's session."

Another wrote: "My eyes went teary twice in this episode. Well done."