Tributes to service as farmer, journalist and father

JOE BRUTON was a leader, an innovator and a farmer who reaped only a fraction of what he had sown, mourners were told at his funeral Mass in Dunboyne, Co Meath, yesterday morning.

The large Church of St Peter and St Paul was packed to capacity with political figures, farm leaders, neighbours and friends who gathered to remember the prominent farmer who died on Friday, aged 99.

Msgr Dermot Farrell said, in his homily, that Mr Bruton’s “awareness of the unrepeatable onceness of life” prompted him “to live fully and generously” for the benefit of his family and community.

The chief mourners were Mr Bruton’s son John, former taoiseach and now EU ambassador to the US; his son Richard, deputy leader of Fine Gael; and daughter Mary, who runs a Montessori school in Dublin. His wife Doris died three years ago.

Msgr Farrell said Mr Bruton was a “gentle, gracious, humble, mild and loving father”. He also paid tribute to his work in the farming community, locality, politics and as a journalist.

“It was his leadership qualities, his vision of what can be, his insight, conciliating influence that allowed him to speak with authority for them in very difficult and turbulent times.”

Msgr Farrell also said that after a very long life consumed by the passions of family, farm and faith Mr Bruton faded in recent weeks, but that he accepted his fate with dignity.

“Notwithstanding his long and active life, when it came to illness and death there was no anguish, no anger, no bargaining.”

Mr Bruton was prominent in the farmers’ movement in the 1960s and was chairman of the IFA livestock committee in the early 1970s.

His sons Richard and John gave readings during the funeral Mass. His daughter Mary and daughters-in-law Finola and Susan delivered gifts, such as a lifelong certificate of membership to the Irish Farmers’ Association, a compilation of stories from his life and a painting, to the altar.

The congregation included former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s aide-de-camp Comdt Michael Treacy and Minister of State Mary Wallace.

Among the dozens of Fine Gael TDs present were Damien English, Simon Coveney, Paul Kehoe, John Deasy, Dan Neville and Billy Timmins. Also present were Ictu general secretary David Begg and IFA president Pádraig Walshe.

Mr Bruton was later laid to rest at Rooske Cemetery in Dunboyne on what would have been his 100th birthday.