President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese joined the wife Siobhan, daughters Aoife and Maeve, mother and other family members of Rory Brady at his removal to a packed Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook, Dublin tonight.
They were joined by hundreds of people from the worlds of politics and law friends, neighbours and fellow parishioners.
Parish priest Fr Martin Clarke told mourners that life was going very well for Rory Brady two years ago. He had just celebrated his 50th birthday, he had returned to the bar after five years as Attorney General, he was enjoying his family life and had opportunities to travel with his wife and daughters, which he greatly enjoyed. “He had the world at his feet”, he said.
Quite unexpectedly what appeared to be a minor ailment turned into a serious illness which eventually took over his body, while leaving his brilliant mind clear, he said.
Medically no stone was left unturned, and characteristically he fought the good fight bravely as he came to terms with his illness, surrounded by the extraordinary support, care and love of his family, friends and colleagues.
He was a person of deep faith, Fr Clarke said. He embraced life in so many ways, particularly the opportunity to contribute significantly to the Northern Ireland peace process. Finally he embraced death, he said.
Among the mourners were the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen and former taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, accompanied by members of the Cabinet Mary Harney, Mary Hanafin, Eamon O Cuiv, John Gormley, Noel Dempsey, Mary Coughlan, Micheal Martin, Attorney General Paul Gallagher SC, Minister for Children Barry Andrews and former members of the Cabinet, John O’Donoghue and Rory O’Hanlon.
The Chief Justice, Mr Justice John Murray and the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns led the attendance of 46 members of the judiciary, including Supreme Court judges Mrs Justice Denham, Mr Justice Nial Fennelly, Ms Justice Macken, Mr Justice McKechnie and Mr Justice O’Donnell.
Twenty-five members of the High Court were there, eight judges of the Circuit Court, including its President Mr Justice Deery, and four judges of the District Court. Former Supreme Court judges Mr Justice Hugh Geoghegan and Mr Justice Francis Murphy were also present, as was Mr Justice Andrias O’Caoimh, judge of the European court.
Former Attorneys General Eoin Fitzsimons SC, David Byrne SC, Dermot Gleeson SC and Patrick Connolly were present, along with present and former Garda Commissioners Fachtna Murphy and Pat Byrne and the Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Sean Aylward.
The Bar was heavily represented, with the recently elected Chairman of the Bar Council, Paul O’Higgins present, along with former Chairmen Michael Collins SC, Hugh Mohan SC, and Conor Maguire SC. Miriam O’Callaghan of RTE and journalist Vincent Browne were also there.
The funeral takes place after 10 o’clock Mass tomorrow.