TD mourned by thousands

The Labour TD, Mr Michael Ferris, was a "likeable and loveable person" who would be missed by many, hundreds of mourners were told last night at the removal of his body. The small parish church in Mr Ferris's home village of Bansha was packed to overflowing for the short ceremony. The parish priest of Bansha and Kilmoyler, Father Dan Dwyer, said many people would be affected by Mr Ferris's death, but he would be missed most by his wife and family.

Throughout the afternoon, several thousand people had called to the village to express sympathy and pay their respects to the politician, who died suddenly while on EU business in Lisbon on Monday.

The mourners included Mr Ferris's wife, Ellen, his sons, Michael, Tom, Bernard and Gerard, daughters, Grainne and Catherine and his sister, Josephine. He is also survived by his mother, Mary (94). Mr Ferris was predeceased by his first wife, Josie, in 1978.

Most of his colleagues in the Labour parliamentary party at tended, including the party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn; the deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin; the party president, Mr Proinsias De Rossa; the Chief Whip, Mr Emmet Stagg and the chairman, Mr Willie Penrose. The party general secretary, Mr Mike Allen, was also among the mourners.

The Taoiseach was represented by his aide-de-camp, Capt Michael Kiernan. Mr Phil Hogan TD represented Fine Gael, and the Progressive Democrats were represented by Senator John Dardis. Mr Ferris's constituency colleagues, Fianna Fail Minister of State Mr Noel Davern and Fine Gael TD Ms Therese Ahearn were also present.