The sudden death of a mother of three, following childbirth, had stunned a whole parish, a priest said yesterday.

Funeral Mass will be held today for Fr Alec Reid, the peacemaker priest who carried messages between the IRA and politicians during the Troubles.

Stephen Gately was today remembered in his community as an inspiration to young people and deeply proud of his working-class Dublin roots.

The extinction of playwright and columnist Hugh Leonard’s dazzling energy has left Ireland a poorer place, his funeral heard today.