MOURNERS thronged Birmingham's streets yesterday as the city's Irish community said goodbye to one of its best loved priests.
The gathering, to pay final respects to Father Joe Taaffe, brought traffic in the Digbeth area of the city to a standstill for the second time in 24 hours.
Thousands had also attended a funeral Mass on Thursday night' at St Anne's Church in Alcester Street.
Traffic was halted as the remains were carried in procession - one of the largest seen in Birmingham for many years - from the Irish Centre to the church.
The service was relayed to a large TV screen in the neighbouring community centre, as the church was full.
Yesterday another large crowd gathered for a second Mass at the church, attended by many churchmen. At the end of the service the mourners stood in silence as the coffin was carried from the church on the journey to Brandwood End Cemetery for a private burial.
Father Taaffe, director of the Irish Welfare and Development Centre, champion of the Birmingham Six in the days when they were presumed guilty, and chaplain to the Irish community for more than 20 years, died of cancer, aged 76, last week at Myton Hospice.
His last words to friends were: "I am at peace now and ready for the great journey."