‘We won’t see your like for many a day’

THE coffin was draped in a Tricolour and placed upon it was a Bible and a cross.

“God alone knows, he doesn’t need that cross because he suffered enough, especially in recent years,” said Fr Eugene Kennedy.

Brian Lenihan had carried the burden of major national problems during his time as minister for finance while battling pancreatic cancer that brought about his untimely death at the age of 52. But now he has found “peace at last”.

And, as Fr Kennedy told mourners gathered for his removal last night: “Ní feicfidh do leithéad le fada an lá” — We won’t see your like for many a day.”

He described his friend as “a great young man” who, just 10 days before his passing, said he “was not worried about dying”.

His “sole concern” was “the pain and distress” it was going to cause to his wife Patricia, his daughter Claire and son Tom.

Yesterday evening, they made the painful journey from Jennings Funeral Home in Blanchardstown village to the small chapel of St Mochta’s.

As the coffin was carried by a bearer party from the second eastern brigade military police Mr Lenihan’s many colleagues in Fianna Fáil formed a guard of honour.

Many of them were well-known faces, no longer in political life, who had served in government with Mr Lenihan at a time when he was, in the words of Fr Kennedy, “burdened by major national issues and lately by his failing health”.

There was one aisle for the many dignitaries, politicians and public figures and another for the family and close friends, including his brothers Conor, Niall and Paul and sister Anita, as well as his mother Anne. “Mothers don’t expect to burry their children, do they?” Fr Kennedy said.

Outside the tiny chapel and spilling out to the narrow road were hundreds of people who he had served in Dublin West, many who described him not just as their local TD, but a family friend.

Among the crowds were the economist Colm McCarthy with whom Mr Lenihan worked closely and Leaving Certificate students there to support their friend Claire Lenihan.

“The talents, the gifts, the personality of Brian. It’s all been said in so many ways over many days.” said Fr Kennedy. He has been remembered by the President, who attended last night’s removal, by the Taoiseach, by EU commissioners and the French finance minister, Christine Lagarde.

“I wouldn’t dare to compete with the words of tribute of so many illustrious people,” said Fr Kennedy. But he wanted to speak on behalf of the “gná muintir Átha Cliath 15” the ordinary people of Dublin 15 that “Brian was very much a part of our community, our place”.

And he said, “in a way we felt we had proprietorial rights over him” and feel “deeply indebted to a man who always had care and concern for us and the various organisations and events that were taking place”.

Brian brought a Bible with him when he travelled as minister and, always the scholar, could “quote from it better than any cleric”, according to Fr Kennedy.

Cardinal John Henry Newman’s prayer was a favourite of Brian’s and was recited at his coffin side:

May the Lord Support us all the day long.

Til the shadows lengthen and the evening comes.

And the busy world is hushed.

And the fever of life is over.

And our work is done.

Then, in his mercy, may he give us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at last. Amen.