The Sacred Heart Church in Donnybrook, Dublin, was packed last night for the removal of former chief Justice Mr Liam Hamilton, who died on Wednesday.
The parish priest, Father Patrick O'Carroll, paid tribute to Mr Justice Hamilton, who he described as "one of the most distinguished persons of our country". He offered his and the congregation's sympathy to Mr Justice Hamilton's wife, Maeve, and family: daughters Ruth and Julie, son William, sister Patricia and brother David, as well as grandchildren Jack, Matthew, Liam and Tom.
The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented by Capt Michael Treacy. The Taoiseach was represented by Capt Duncan Nugent.
Many of Mr Hamilton's senior legal colleagues were present, including the Chief Justice, Mr Ronan Keane, and the following judges of the Supreme Court: Mr Nial Fennelly, Mr Hugh Geoghegan, Mr Adrian Hardiman, Mrs Catherine McGuinness, Mr Frank Murphy and Mr John Murray.
The President of the High Court, Mr Frederick Morris, was joined by High Court judges Ms Mella Carroll, Mr Joseph Finnegan, Mr Vivian Lavan, Mr Michael Moriarty, Mr Roderick Murphy, Mr Kevin O'Higgins and Mr Aindreas O'Keeffe. The Attorney General, Mr Michael McDowell, attended, as did former attorneys general Mr Patrick Connolly and Mr Dermot Gleeson.
Among the prominent senior counsel present were Mr John Gallagher and Mr Patrick Hanratty, counsel for the Flood tribunal, and Mr John Coughlan, counsel for the Moriarty tribunal, Mr Seamus McKenna, a close friend of the former chief justice, and Mr David Andrews, the former minister for foreign affairs.
Politicians present included former Taoiseach Mr Liam Cosgrave (Fine Gael), Mr Seamus Brennan and Mr Michael O'Kennedy (Fianna Fail), Mr Des O'Malley (Progressive Democrats) and former Labour Party minister Mr Barry Desmond.
Mr Hamilton will be buried today at Shanganagh cemetery after 10 a.m. Mass.