Haughey hailed for his compassion

Former Taoiseach Charles Haughey was a great human being who had a genuine compassion for the weak and vulnerable, his brother tonight told the congregation at his local church.

The remains of the controversial leader, 80, draped in the Tricolour, were officially received at the Church of Our Lady of Consolation in the heart of the North Dublin constituency he represented for 35 years.

The modest but respectable turnout included President Mary McAleese, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and senior members of Government, the judiciary and the business community.

Mr Haughey’s brother, Fr Eoghan told the ceremony: “We’re here because we loved him for the great human being he was, for the great humanity that was in him, for the genuine compassion he had for everybody, especially the weak and vulnerable.”

He also praised Mr Haughey’s courage and bravery and his ability to be a loyal and true friend in good times and in bad.

“He was a genuinely warm hearted and kind man. He was small in stature but massive in achievement,” he explained.

He asserted that Mr Haughey would now be deaf to all the praise and blame of the world and secure from its catastrophes.

Earlier, Mr Haughey’s remains were carried into the church in Donnycarney by a bearer party comprising the 2nd Field Military Police Company.

Widow Maureen followed, flanked by sons Conor and Ciaran, with daughter Eimear and TD Sean and sister Maureen close behind.

Thousands of mourners had earlier paid their respects as Mr Haughey’s remains lay in an open coffin in the church’s mortuary chapel.

Offering his condolences at the altar, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said: “We are here as a nation in different roles to remember one whose public life has impacted the shape of our current economy and society.

“Some are here as members of his family who experienced his personal care during his life and returned that loving care during his illness.”

Father Eoghan added that his brother was a fellow pilgrim who had outstripped others in the race for eternity.

“He fascinated the age in which he lived, probably more than any other politician of his time.”

Mr Haughey’s son Conor recited a prayer during the ceremony and Anthony Cronin, poet and one-time cultural adviser to Mr Haughey read a personal reflection.

Piper from the Chieftains traditional music group, Paddy Maloney, a family friend played for the congregation.

After the service ended a long line of mourners expressed their condolences to the Haughey family as they remained in their seats.

A State funeral will take place tomorrow morning, followed by a burial service and oration by Mr Ahern at St Fintan’s Cemetery, in nearby Sutton.

Mr Haughey died at his home on Tuesday morning after losing a long battle with cancer.