Mourners queue to pay last respects

MOURNERS IN their hundreds queued outside the Pro Cathedral in Dublin last night to pay their respects to former president Patrick Hillery, who lay in state after the formal reception of his remains.

Members of the public filed silently past the coffin, which was draped in a Tricolour, flanked by two tall candles and adorned with a fine black-and-white photograph of Dr Hillery in a cap and Aran sweater. Additional queues formed around the three books of condolence just inside the porch

Among those who stood on Marlborough Street from early afternoon was Richie Gormley, the president of the Boston Roscommon Association, who proudly brandished his passport to show he had flown in yesterday morning for the funeral.

"I came out of respect for the president, out of respect for the country. I decided to come over just the other day, after I read an obituary in the Boston Globe. And I'll be at the funeral Mass," he said.

Donal and Mary Victory from Co Meath had come to Dublin to mark the passing of "the last of the decent people", said Mr Victory. "I have a great affection for him, a great respect. He was a gentleman and I'm very glad we came."

One middle-aged woman, who asked not to be named, said Dr Hillery had retained dignity in office, adding: "Perhaps some of the current people might get a lesson from him."

The crowd included many from Dr Hillery's native Co Clare, all of whom spoke warmly of an able, humble man. "We're here because we're good Clare people, and we're great admirers," said Frances Baker, who was queuing with her sister.

"I met him, and he kept his Clare accent - he had no airs and graces, he was a man of integrity." Another middle-aged woman said Dr Hillery was "a friend to everyone.

"I really came because he was the person who provided equal pay for women," she added.

Christy Curtin, a former neighbour, recalled a decent man with "a great sense of place. He loved Clare and he was always happiest among his people".