Dr Spring treated prince and pauper the same

A member of a leading political family, also a prominent golfer and golf-course designer, treated rich and poor just the same, mourners at his funeral were told yesterday.

An overflow congregation in St John’s Church, Tralee, Co Kerry, gave a touching farewell to Arthur Spring, 70, who died at his home on Wednesday, having been ill since late last year.

In a tribute, his son, Labour TD Arthur John Spring, said he was a loving, gentlemanly figure who, though not without his faults, loved people.