Lynch is likened to legendary folk heroes

Former Taoiseach Mr Jack Lynch was compared with the legendary Irish folk hero Cuchulainn and described as a man of physical and moral strength, at a formal ecumenical service in Dublin yesterday before his State funeral in Cork today.

In a warm bilingual tribute the Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Dr Fiachra O Ceallaigh, praised Mr Lynch's sporting and political abilities, and said that "though he was a rather retiring man, he possessed many and varied gifts and talents, among them the quality of integrity and leadership".

In front of the Tricolour-draped coffin with a single wreath of white lilies, and red and white roses, representatives of the main churches in Ireland participated in the hour-long service in the 19th century Church of St Paul of the Cross at Mount Argus, Harold's Cross. Mr Lynch's parish was in nearby Rathgar but he and Mrs Mairin Lynch regularly attended Sunday Mass in Irish at Mount Argus.

Rev Mary Hunter of the Presbyterian Church, Rev Nigel Mackey of the Methodist Church, and Rev Wilbert Gourlay of the Church of Ireland, all based in Rathgar, read the lessons and the gospel.

The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and Papal Nuncio Archbishop Luciano Storero and the Ven Gordon Linney, representing Archbishop Walton Empey were among the concelebrants. Judge Hubert Wine represented the Jewish Council in Ireland.

The Bishop said that Mr Lynch had a "season, a time for recreation and sport never equalled in the history of hurling and Gaelic football". Dr O Ceal

laigh said he could clearly remember a famous goal scored by Mr Lynch in 1949 and described as a "masterpiece" and an "ever so determined and skilful solo-run".

He told the mourners that his own father, Mr Sean O Ceallaigh, a Fianna Fail TD for Clare, was one of a number of TDs who met Mr Lynch to try to persuade him to run for the Fianna Fail leadership.

Mr Lynch had been compared on the radio with the old heroes of Ireland, Dr O Ceallaigh said in Irish. He believed that meant Cuchulainn and the Fianna, which were good comparisons. Mr Lynch followed their motto: "Neart in ar ngeag, Glainne in ar gcroi agus Beart de reir ar mbriathar" (Strength in our limbs, purity in our hearts, and being true to our promises).

Dr O Ceallaigh paid tribute to Mrs Lynch "for the unstinting support she has given Jack down the years but particularly over the last six years since he became ill". Nobody could compare with them as individuals or as a couple.

On behalf of Mrs Lynch, Mr Christopher Moriarty, paid tribute to the doctors and nurses who looked after the former Taoiseach and the gardai who were responsible for his security. Dr Denis Keating, Dr John Buckley and a nurse, Ms Marcella Murray, were mentioned for praise as was Garda i John O'Dea who was with Mr Lynch for 33 years, and the late Garda Tom O'Loughlin who was with him for 25 years.

After the ceremony and to the music of Going Home by Dvorak the Lynch family and congregation followed as the military pall bearers led the coffin out of the church for the final salute by a military colour party.

The Tricolour, with a black flag attached was dipped for the salute and a guard of 20 army and Garda outriders then escorted the cortege to Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

The President, Mrs McAleese, and her husband, Martin, joined the chief mourners Mrs Lynch, Mr Lynch's brother, Finbarr; his sisters, Ms Eva Harvey and Ms Rena Dunne; cousins, nieces and nephews. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, were also among the mourners.

Members of the diplomatic corps attended including the Australian ambassador, Mr Robert Halverson; the Indian ambassador, Ms Chokila Iyer; the Japanese ambassador, Ms Kazuko Yokoo; the British ambassador, Mr Ivor Roberts; the US ambassador, Mr Mike Sullivan, and the Austrian ambassador, Dr Paul Leifer.

Most of the Cabinet was also present including the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke; the Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods; the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh; the Minister for Community, Family and Social Affairs, Mr Ahern; the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera; the Minister for Education, Mr Martin; the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue; and the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey.

Members of the President's Council of State were there including a former president, Dr Patrick Hillery; and his wife, Dr Maeve Hillery; and former Taoisigh Mr Liam Cosgrave, Dr Garret FitzGerald and Mr Albert Reynolds and his wife Kathleen. Two former chief justices and members of the Council, Mr Thomas Finlay and Mr Thomas O'Higgins, were also among the mourners as was the Cathaoir leach of the Seanad, Mr Brian Mullooly.

A number of ministers from Mr Lynch's 1977 Cabinet attended including his close friend, the former PD leader, Mr Desmond O'Malley, and his wife, Mrs Pat O'Malley; Prof Martin O'Donoghue; Mr Padraig Faulkner; Mr Michael O'Kennedy; as well as Mr Jim Tunney, former Minister of State; and Mr Lynch's then private secretary, Ms Kathleen Gannon.