Mourners pay respects to Patrick Hillery as books of condolence open

BOOKS OF condolence for former president Patrick Hillery were opened around the State yesterday.

A steady stream of people attended a number of public buildings in Dublin and Co Clare to pay their respects to Dr Hillery, who died on Saturday.

Mourners have been paying tribute to the 84-year-old in books at the Pro-Cathedral and Mansion House in Dublin, Paddy Hillery Library, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, and Clare County Council offices in Ennis.

The doors of the Mansion House stayed open yesterday to allow members of the public to sign its book of condolence, alongside political figures, academics and retired judges, with mourners coming from the surrounding counties of Meath and Wicklow.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paddy Bourke, was first to sign, while President Mary McAleese attended the Mansion House in the afternoon to pay her respects. The book will re-open today at 10am and close at 4pm.

Mourners were full of praise for the former statesman. "He was a wonderful warm man. He was a great president, he took us into the EU. He was a great negotiator for Ireland," said Ann Murphy, Rathfarnham. Independent TD Finian McGrath described Dr Hillery as a "great public servant", and extended his condolences to Dr Hillery's family.

Another entry in the Mansion House book simply read "Good minister for education, good Irishman, good golfer, good European - humility". At the Pro-Cathedral, people from his native town of Miltown Malbay signed the book of condolence, along with mourners from Dublin, Tipperary and Spain. One entrant recalled meeting Dr Hillery some years ago in a graveyard, saying a "silent prayer" at his daughter Vivienne's graveside. Clare County Council said a steady stream of people had visited the books of condolence at three sites. They will remain open during office hours until Friday evening.

Dr Hillery's remains will be brought to the Pro-Cathedral this afternoon, where members of the public will be able to file past his coffin until 10pm.

President McAleese, her husband Dr Martin McAleese, and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will read at his funeral Mass at noon tomorrow. The cortege will then travel to St Fintan's Cemetery, Sutton, where Dr Hillery will be buried with his daughter Vivienne who died in 1987.

At the request of Dr Hillery's widow Maeve and their son Dr John Hillery, Tánaiste Brian Cowen will deliver the graveside oration. Flags will be flown at half-mast on all Government buildings until after the funeral.