De Valera's funeral / Dublin view: Chaotic scenes at the burial of Eamon de Valera were caused by a group of Fianna Fáil politicians who "broke ranks" in the funeral cortege, according to official documents.
Internal reports in the Department of the Taoiseach criticised Fianna Fáil TDs for engaging in a number of unauthorised actions on the days surrounding the State funeral.
These reached a climax when the graveside area in Glasnevin Cemetery was "invaded" by Fianna Fáil deputies, closely followed by party supporters and members of the public, thus leaving little space for the then taoiseach Liam Cosgrave and other state dignitaries.
A report in the department dated September 5th, 1975, three days after the funeral, described the scene thus: "Having broken ranks at the gate of the cemetery, the leading group of the opposition made their way to the rear of the graveside area. The barrier was moved alongside by the gardaí and a large group... proceeded to take up positions at the area reserved for council of state, diplomatic corps and members of the government."
A further departmental report stated that a "large group of members of the opposition" entered the reserved spaces in the graveyard. "As a result, only the relatives, president, taoiseach and (some) members of the council of state could be accommodated at, or near, these spaces that had been earmarked for them. Other members of the government, visiting dignitaries and others took up whatever space was available when they reached the graveside area."
A newspaper report in the files told of chaotic scenes at the graveside, noting Princess Grace of Monaco "looked anxious at one stage" as she was jostled by the crowd.
The departmental reports said Fianna Fáil members were also responsible for organising an unauthorised guard of honour at the entrance to the convalescent home in which de Valera had been staying.
"It was not certain until the gun carriage actually passed by, that the presence of these people would not impede the gun carriage," it was noted.
A further guard of honour was formed by "members of the Fianna Fáil Party (including a number of former ministers and other front bench members) and Dublin city councillors)" inside the door of the State apartments.
"While this had not been agreed in advance, some gesture of this nature was anticipated and no effort was made to prevent it," one report to the taoiseach read.
The files also showed a huge number of world leaders sending messages of condolence to the taoiseach over the death of Mr de Valera.
The then president of Uganda Idi Amin sent a telegram from Kampala describing the former taoiseach as "a great son and a statesman who had worked untiringly for the progress of his country. We pray to the almighty god to rest his soul in peace".
Ferdinand Marcos, president of the Philippines, wrote of de Valera: "He was a great man and will always be remembered for his unflinching devotion to the cause of freedom and for his far-seeing statesmanship and dynamic leadership."
Among the others who sent personal messages of condolence were Pope Paul VI; the Shah of Iran Mohammed Reza Pahlavi; the French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing; Queen Elizabeth and the British prime minister Harold Wilson; Spanish head of state Gen Francisco Franco; US president Gerald Ford; the Dalai Lama; and Yitzhak Rabin, prime minister of Israel.
A large number of messages came from the leaders of developing countries or former colonies, including Brig Murtala Mohammed, head of the Nigerian military government, who described de Valera as "in every respect, a great man".
Gen Mohamed Naguib, former president of Egypt, described the former taoiseach as "one of the greatest men of the present century", while Indira Gandhi wrote: "During our own freedom struggle, we drew inspiration from de Valera. My father regarded him as a friend and it was a privilege to receive him in India."
