Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and several Ministers were among the large attendance last night at the removal of Sarah Harney, mother of the Minister for Health, who died on Monday. Mrs Harney (84) was from Newcastle, Co Dublin, and originally from Ballinamorebridge, Co Galway.
Her body was brought from the home of her son, Michael, to St Finian's church in Newcastle. She had been ill for some time.
Family friend Fr Paddy Monahan told the congregation that Mrs Harney loved life and bore her illness in recent years with great faith,
The chief mourners last night were her daughters Mary and Geraldine and sons Laur, Michael and Richard. She is also survived by her sons-in-law, Brian and Gay, daughter-in-law Eithne and her six grandchildren.
The Taoiseach was joined by Tánaiste Brian Cowen and Ministers Noel Dempsey, Mary Hanafin, Willie O'Dea, Brian Lenihan and Éamon Ó Cuív. Also in attendance were Attorney General Paul Gallagher, Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue and chief whip Tom Kitt.
Ministers of State included Seán Haughey, Maura Hoctor and Conor Lenihan. Members of the Oireachtas present included Jim McDaid, Seán Ardagh, Beverley Flynn, Phil Hogan and Michael Lowry. The Progressive Democrats were represented by party president Tom Parlon, Fiona O'Malley and former leader and Tánaiste, Michael McDowell.
The Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte and the Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton also attended as did Mary White, the deputy leader of the Green Party.
Also present were Liam Doran of the Irish Nurses' Organisation, Finbar Fitzpatrick of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association and Michael Scanlan, secretary general of the Department of Health.
Requiem Mass takes place today at noon.