Hundreds attend removal of journalist

HUNDREDS of people, family, friends and colleagues from the worlds of education and journalism, attended the removal yesterday evening of Christina Murphy, duty editor of The Irish Times and editor of the Education & Living supplement. Ms Murphy's remains were removed from St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin, where she died on Sunday, to Sandford Parish Church in Ranelagh, where a brief ecumenical service was held.

The Rev Des Harman, the rector of Sandford church, told the mourners Ms Murphy had made an outstanding contribution to journalism through her writing on education. Although her family now shared a great loss, Mr Harman said he hoped their burden would be lessened by the many tributes which had been paid to her in recent days. Mr Harman was assisted Martin Clarke by Father retiring director of the Catholic Youth Council, and Father John Dunne SJ, president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.

The mourners were led by Ms Murphy's husband, Mr Dermot Mullane, and their son, Eric. Her parents, Thomas and Dora, sisters Evelyn, Concepta and Dora, and brothers Thomas and Noel, also attended.

The packed congregation included many colleagues of Ms Murphy from The Irish Times. Journalist colleague's of Mr Mullane from RTE were also strongly represented. The Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach, attended the removal. The former Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald, was also present, as was the Minister for State at the Department of the Marine, Mr Eamon Gilmore.

The judiciary was represented by the chief justice, Mr Justice Liam Hamilton, and Mr Justice Hugh O'Flaherty of the Supreme Court. TDs present included Ms Mary O'Rourke and Mr Seamus Brennan, both former Ministers for Education Mr Phil Hogan the Fianna Fail education spokesman, Mr Micheal Martin and the Progressive Democrats education spokeswoman, Ms Helen Keogh.

Prominent figures from the education world who were in attendance included Sister Eileen Randles, secretary of the Catholic Primary School Managers' Association Mr George O'Callaghan, general secretary of the Secretariat of Secondary Schools Sister Teresa McCormack of the Conference of Religious of Ireland Mr Frank Murray, chairman of the Commission on School Accommodation Needs and Mr Nick Killian of the National Parents' Council post primary.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation was represented by its, general secretary, Senator Joe O Toole. Mr Charlie Len non general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland, and Mr John White, the union's assistant general secretary, also attended. The Teachers' Union of Ireland was represented by Mr Jim Dorney, general secretary, and Ms Alice Prendergast, president.

The attendance from RTE included Mr Joe Barry, director general Mr Bob Collins, assistant director general Mr Kevin Healy, director of radio programmes and Mr Michael Good, managing editor of news.

The secretary of the Department of Education, Dr Don Thornhill, attended, along with the Department's chief inspector, Mr Scan MacGleannain, and the deputy chief inspector, Mr Carl O Dlaigh. Trinity College, Dublin, was represented by the provost, Dr Tom Mitchell, and UCD by its president, Dr Art Cosgrove. Also in attendance were Mr John Hayden, chief executive of the Higher Education Authority Prof John Coolahan of Maynooth College, and Professors Pat Clancy and Desmond Swan of UCD.

Mr Donal Nevin, a governor of The Irish Times Trust Ltd and a director of The Irish Times Ltd, represented Major T.B. McDowell, chairman and chief executive. The Irish Times Ltd was also represented by the following directors the Editor of The Irish Times, Mr Conor Brady Mr Louis O'Neill, group managing director and deputy chief executive and Mr Derek McCullagh, corporate administration director.

Directors of Irish Times Publications Ltd who attended were Dr David Nowlan, Mr Sean Olson, Mr Gerard Cavanagh, Mr Iain Pratt, Mr Richard Gee, Mr Scam us McCague, Mr Michael Austen and Mr Seamus Conaty. Colleagues from all departments of the newspaper also attended.

The funeral takes place today to St Fintan's cemetery, Sutton, following an ecumenical service in Sandford church at 11.30 am.