THREE FORMER taoisigh, Liam Cosgrave, Garret FitzGerald and Albert Reynolds, were among the mourners at the funeral Mass for former secretary to the government and longtime public servant Dermot Nally, who died suddenly last week at the age of 82 years.
The large attendance also included former minister for industry and commerce and Progressive Democrat leader Desmond O’Malley, and Lord (formerly Sir Robert) Armstrong of Ilminster, who was secretary to the cabinet of Margaret Thatcher and worked closely with Mr Nally on the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement.
Secretary-general of the Department of the Taoiseach and Cabinet secretary Dermot McCarthy attended, along with secretary-general of the Department of Foreign Affairs David Cooney.
Many other senior officials, serving or retired, from a variety of departments were also present, including: John Kennedy, Wally Kirwan and Pádraig Ó hUiginn (Department of Taoiseach); Philip Hamill and Frank O’Donoghue (Finance); Seán Donlon, David Donoghue, Noel Dorr, Dermot Gallagher, Michael Lillis, Daithí Ó Ceallaigh and Seán Ó hUiginn (Foreign Affairs); Tim Dalton (Justice); Don Thornhill (Education); and Brian McCarthy and Tim O’Connor (President’s office).
Former governor of the Central Bank John Hurley; former attorney general John Rogers; Prof Ronan Fanning of UCD; former Dublin city manager Frank Feely; and broadcaster and former government press secretary Sean Duignan also attended.
The mourners were led by Mr Nally’s widow, Joan, their daughters Ailbhe, Maura, Sheila and Caitriona, and their son, Brian.
The President was represented by aide-de-camp Capt Brian Walsh, and the Taoiseach by Comdt Michael Treacy.
In a statement issued to the media, former taoiseach Liam Cosgrave said: “Dermot Nally was an exceptional public servant, whose advice and skill were sought and respected by the governments he served so faithfully.
“His knowledge of economic and financial affairs was profound and practical.
“I was most fortunate to have his generous help and assistance while in government in the years 1973-1977 – in particular at the Sunningdale conference in 1973 and before that at Baldonnel in September of the same year.
“His calm analysis of the situation was always first class, his capacity to express himself either verbally or in writing was a unique example of clarity of view.
“He worked with many other distinguished public officials with whom he was always primus inter pares. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
“Sincere sympathy is offered to Joan and his family,” Mr Cosgrave concluded.
The Mass was celebrated by Fr Dermot Nestor PP, who recalled that Mr Nally had been among the congregation in the church only a week earlier for Mass on Christmas Day.
The funeral took place after Mass at Kilmashogue cemetery.
