Former taoiseach Charles Haughey was laid to rest at St Fintan's Cemetery in Sutton yesterday after a State funeral that marked the end of an era. Stephen Collins, Political Correspondent, reports.
During the ceremonies the former Fianna Fáil leader's political legacy was robustly defended by his brother, his son and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who said in his graveside oration that Charles Haughey was a patriot to his fingertips and history's judgment of him would be positive.
"I saw him at first hand. He was a consummate politician, He exhibited grace under pressure. He had an incisive mind, superb parliamentary skills, a proud identity with Ireland, all of Ireland. A profound respect in victory and defeat for our democratic institutions," said Mr Ahern.
He added: "As well as a political talent Charlie had the discipline of a tremendous work ethic. The definition of a patriot is someone who devotes all their energy to the betterment of their countrymen. Charles Haughey was a patriot to his fingertips.
"As one of Mr Haughey's successors as Taoiseach I want to acknowledge that he left a huge legacy of lasting achievement which this generation has based its own progress upon. History will favourably record that from 1988 Charlie Haughey took the first steps on a long road to peace."
He added: "His courageous decision to open a secret channel of communication with the Provisional leadership paved the way to the banishing of the bomb and bullet, North and South, in our time."
The Taoiseach added that Mr Haughey had led Fianna Fáil through a tumultuous period of Irish politics.
"In the passage of time since his retirement, despite the controversies even political opponents acknowledge that he had indeed done the State some service. I have no doubt that the ultimate judgment of history will be positive. He was one of the most consequential of Irishmen. When the shadows have faded the light of his achievements will remain," he said.
"Of this memory of this man, larger than life, there will be no end. Immersed in his many political battles Charles Haughey would ruefully acknowledge to me that he enjoyed the proverbial nine lives. Charlie, Boss, the last of those lives has now been extinguished," concluded Mr Ahern.
Earlier at the Requiem Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Consolation, Fr Eoghan Haughey defended his brother's memory in an emotional homily. He said Mr Haughey believed it was "was up to him and his generation to do something about the problem in Northern Ireland. It was always close to his heart and high on his political agenda."
Referring to all the controversies that dogged the former taoiseach's life he added: "He came through it all without bitterness or anger. In all those 30 or 40 years of public life, when so much that was hostile was written or said about him, he never once retaliated in kind. Never a word in his own defence."
Seán Haughey, who succeeded to his father's Dublin North Central seat, said his critics in the media had dominated the debate about his record but he believed that historians would be more positive.
He quoted his mother as saying: "It seems everybody hates Charlie Haughey except the people."
The Requiem Mass was attended by President Mary McAleese, members of the Government, Opposition leaders, the judiciary, the diplomatic corps, friends and relatives of the Haughey family and parishioners from Donnycarney.
Old associates of Mr Haughey in government Ray Burke and Pádraig Flynn attended the funeral as did friends such as financier Dermot Desmond and artist Robert Ballagh, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and the party's leader in the Dáil, Caomhghín Ó Caoláin.
The church was packed to capacity with 2,000 mourners present for the Mass but the crowds outside were smaller than funeral organisers had expected. An estimated 1,000 attended at the cemetery for the burial.
During the two-hour service Fianna Fáil Minister Brian Lenihan gave the first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah. Among the readers at the prayers of the faithful were old friends of Mr Haughey - PJ Mara, Tom Fitzgerald and Séamus Cullimore.
Fr Haughey revealed that the plans for the funeral were devised by Mr Haughey himself.