Simple though poignant farewell

IN a state funeral especially fashioned to fit the gentleness of the man being honoured, there were no guns, just Garret.

The traditional graveside volley of shots was done away with, replaced by a trickle of tears from family and friends.

An ovation over the tricolour-draped coffin was also considered unnecessary, for what words could there be left to say about a life almost as long as that of the state whose modern face Dr FitzGerald did so much to shape?