The funeral has taken place of former Cork Fianna Fáil TD and Lord Mayor of Cork Seán French who died at his home in St Lukes in Cork at the age of 80 over the Christmas period.
Mr French, who played hurling with Glen Rovers, was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1967 in a by-election caused by the death of Labour TD, Seán Casey.
The son of a former TD also called Seán French, Mr French ran alongside taoiseach Jack Lynch in the 1969 and 1973 general elections and benefitted from huge transfers from Mr Lynch on both occasions to hold his seat.
He was again elected following constituency revisions in the general elections of 1977, 1981 and February 1982 but lost out to his running mate, Dan Wallace in the November 1982 general election.
Former Progressive Democrats TD Máirín Quill said that Mr French had served Cork with "honour and decency" while current Lord Mayor Cork Cllr Terry Shannon said the French family had made a huge contribution to Cork city.
Mr French, who was buried today at St Finbarr's Cemetery, is survived by his wife Pat, sons Seán and Bernard and daughters Rachael, Petronilla, Janice, Cynthia and Patsy.
Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin paid tribute to Mr French, saying he made an enormous contribution to public life and public service in Ireland.
"He served the people of Cork as a councillor, as Lord Mayor of the city, and as a TD. Seán believed in public service and was proud to have been entrusted with those roles by the people," he said.
