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Mac Giolla funeral takes place

The coffin of Tomas Mac Giolla is carried along the main Ballyfermot Road in Dublin today after a service for him at Ballyfermot Civic Community Centre. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times

MICHAEL O'REGAN

Tomás Mac Giolla was described as “both gentle and fierce’’ by Workers’ Party president Michael Finnegan at his funeral in Dublin today.

Mr Finnegan, who knew Mr Mac Giolla for nearly four decades, said that he was gentle and warm with family and friends.

“Callers to Tomás were were always welcomed warmly. He was a great listener and both young and old, men and women, could open could open their souls and know they were respected and heard,’’ said Mr Finnegan.

“He was fierce when pursuing the rightness and justice of the cause he dedicated his life to.’’

Mr Finnegan was among the speakers at a ceremony of tribute at Ballyfermot Civic Community Centre. Mr Mac Giolla, former president of Sinn Féin and later the Workers’ Party, TD, lord mayor of Dublin and city councillor, was later buried in Palmerstown cemetery.

The chief mourners were his wife, May, sister Evelyn, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

The Taoiseach was represented by his aide de camp Comdt Michael Treacy. Also present were Dublin’s Lord Mayor Emer Costello, Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore, Ruairi Quinn TD, Liz McManus TD and Aengus O Snodaigh TD.