Reynolds remembered as man of ‘passion and courage’

The late former taoiseach Albert Reynolds was described as a man of “passion, purpose and courage” this evening.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny led a large number of senior politicians and other prominent figures in public life attending the removal at the Church of the Sacred Heart at Donnybook.

Mr Reynolds, taoiseach from February 1992 until November 1994, died on Thursday aged 81 after an illness.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his successor Brian Cowen were in attendance, as was former minister for finance Charlie McCreevy.

Former taoiseach John Bruton of Fine Gael and former Labour minister for education Niamh Breathnach were present.

Monsignor Lorcan O’Brien told those gathered in the church that Mr Reynolds was “rooted in the real”.

Mr Reynolds’ wife Kathleen was “the love of his life”. Msgr O’Brien also welcomed Mr Reynolds’ seven children: Miriam, Philip, Emer, Leonie, Albert, Cathy and Andrea and their families.

Mr Reynolds’ daughters had earlier arrived holding a framed photograph of their father.

“Albert Reynolds was a man who wholeheartedly engaged with the realities of his life and engaged with passion, with purpose and with courage. His achievements were significant,” Msgr O’Brien said.

Msgr O’Brien said Mr Reynolds’s “long debilitating illness” had been a “brutal reality”. His family said last year that he had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

“His declining years were a gradual movement to God. On the journey he was accompanied by grace,” Msgr O’Brien said.

Also present were Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring of Fine Gael.

Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen was in attendance along with other senior Fianna Fáil figures such as former minister for education Michael Woods and Bart Cronin. Former minister Frank Fahey was also there as were Independent TDs Shane Ross and Finian McGrath.

Also in attendance were High Court President Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns.

Broadcaster Sean O’Rourke was there, as was former Government press secretary Sean Duignan. Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett was present.

Also there were: businessman Ulick McEvaddy; Former Fianna Fáil minister Michael Smith; Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley.

Former secretary general of Fianna Fáil Pat Farrell, currently head of communications with Bank of Ireland was there.

Also: Dermot Gallagher, former secretary general at the Departments of Foreign Affairs and the Taoiseach; former Fianna Fáil TD Margaret Conlon; Fr Brian Darcy.

Earlier, members of the public queued to pay their respects at the Mansion House in Dublin city centre where the remains lay in repose.

A State funeral will take place on Monday and Mr Reynolds’ son Philip will deliver the eulogy at the requiem Mass.

Mr Kenny will attend the requiem Mass at noon on Monday, as will President Michael D Higgins.

Mr Reynolds’s remains were conveyed privately to the Mansion House today from his home at the Four Seasons complex in Ballsbridge.

Many members of the public filed past his coffin in the Oak Room from 1pm until 6pm and signed a book of condolence.

The remains left the Mansion House shortly after 7pm for the 4km journey to the Donnybook church.

The hearse was accompanied by a lieutenants’ escort of honour, with motorcycle outriders drawn from the Second Cavalry Squadron at Cathal Brugha barracks. A party of pall-bearers from Defence Forces headquarters marched alongside the hearse.

The hearse, accompanied by the Reynolds family, arrived in Donnybrook for the formal reception of the remains at 7.30pm. Mr Reynolds’s coffin was conveyed into the church by a military police bearer party from the Second Brigade at Cathal Brugha barracks.

The chief celebrant on Monday will be Fr Brian D’Arcy, in the presence of the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin.

After Mass on Monday the funeral cortege will proceed to Shanganagh Cemetery in Shankill. The burial is scheduled from 2-2.30pm. There are no plans for a graveside oration.