Paying their respects: friends and colleagues join family in mourning

POLITICAL and business leaders joined members of Charles Haughey’s family yesterday in a requiem Mass for the former Taoiseach at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Donnycarney.

The principal mourners were Mr Haughey’s widow Maureen and the couple’s four children — Conor, Ciaran, Seán and Eimear — as well as his brother Eóghan and sister Maureen.

President Mary McAleese, who was accompanied by her husband Martin, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern led dozens of dignitaries representing the State at the funeral Mass.

They were joined by around 500 VIPs who attended the two-hour ceremony with Government ministers including the two Progressive Democrats members of Cabinet, Tánaiste Mary Harney and Michael McDowell among the congregation.

It also included dozens of other members of the Oireachtas, members of the Council of State, MEPs, Church leaders, members of the judiciary, diplomatic corps and local authorities.

There was a large turnout of former Fianna Fáil TDs and ministers who has served alongside Mr Haughey during his 35 years as a member of Dáil Éireann. They included Ray Burke, Padraig Flynn, Ray MacSharry, David Andrews, Michael Kennedy and EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy.

Another former Fianna Fáil Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, unable to attend due to illness, was represented by his wife Kathleen.

Opposition politicians present included Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and his predecessors Garret FitzGerald and John Bruton, as well as Lord Mayor of Dublin Catherine Byrne.

Other party leaders in attendance included Labour’s Pat Rabbitte and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams. Also seen were former president Patrick Hillery; former SDLP leader John Hume and Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy. Well-known business figures in the congregation included financier Dermot Desmond, property developer Tom Brennan and Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton.

Among others present were the Taoiseach’s estranged wife Miriam Ahern and her daughter, the writer Cecilia Ahern, as well as ICTU general secretary David Begg; writer John Waters, Bar Council chairman Hugh Mohan; and Fr Brian D’Arcy.

Personal friends of Mr Haughey who arrived to pay their last respects included his former secretary Catherine Butler; accountant Des Peelo and Kerry GAA legend Páidí Ó Sé.

The principal celebrant of the late Taoiseach’s requiem Mass was his brother, Fr Eóghan Haughey, assisted by the Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of All Ireland, Dr Diarmuid Martin and a large number of priests from the Dublin diocese.

Readings were delivered by Fianna Fáil Junior Minister Brian Lenihan and Mr Haughey’s daughter Eimear Mulhern. Mr Haughey’s son Seán delivered a reflection on his father’s life.

Piper Liam Óg O’Flynn, poet Brendan Kennelly and musician Finbar Furey, who played one of Mr Haughey’s best-loved tunes, The Lonesome Boatman, all contributed to the ceremony.