Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was in mourning today after his nephew Dylan died suddenly.

The son of Mr Ahern's eldest brother Maurice was found dead in his north Dublin apartment on Saturday morning.

The exact cause of death is still not clear and a post-mortem was due to be carried out today in order to provide the family with some answers.

The Herald understands that he had been socialising with work colleagues the night before and was in good form.

Aged 37, Dylan was one of six children and like his father he was an avid runner.

He was well known in the Dublin Central constituency and had canvassed for both his father and uncle during a series of election campaigns -- most recently last June.

Dylan grew up in Malahide and worked in the sports section of Dublin City Council.

His running club, Clonliffe Harriers, issued a statement yesterday in which it expressed "shock" at his sudden passing.

A message from the club's secretary said: "It is with profound shock that we learnt of the tragic loss of a member of the Clonliffe family, Dylan Ahern, who died suddenly this morning.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with Maurice and his family at this very sad time."

As a mark of respect the club cancelled a Grand Prix Presentation Dinner that was due to take place last night and it has deferred its AGM which had been set for tomorrow night.

devastated

Former Lord Mayor Maurice and his wife Moira are said to be devastated.

Maurice lost his seat in June's elections and afterwards he told the Herald that his children -- Giles, Adam, Aimee, Murray, Clive and Dylan -- had no interest in entering the political fray.

"They wouldn't touch it with a barge poll," he said.

An ambulance crew from Dublin Fire Brigade arrived at the apartment in the Northwood development in Santry at lunchtime on Saturday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was brought to Blanchardstown Hospital. Gardai have said that they are not treating the death as suspicious.

Today, Maurice Ahern's constituency colleague Cllr Christy Burke paid tribute to Dylan and offered his "deepest condolences to the family".

"All our prayers and thoughts are with them at this incredibly tough time," he said.

No funeral arrangements have been confirmed but it is thought that his removal will take place tomorrow, followed by Funeral Mass on Wednesday.

It is the second tragedy for the former Taoiseach in a fortnight. Earlier this month, Nicky Byrne Snr (60), the father-in-law of Bertie Ahern's daughter Georgina, died of a heart attack.

kdoyle@herald.ie

- Kevin Doyle , POLITICAL REPORTER