President Mary McAleese led the mourners at the removal of the remains of Niall Andrews in Dublin yesterday.
Mr Andrews, a former Fianna Fáil TD, MEP and minister of state, died in St Vincent's hospital, Dublin, on Tuesday. His remains were brought to the Church of the Holy Cross, Dundrum, where they were received by parish priest Fr Donal O'Doherty.
Fr O'Doherty described Mr Andrews as "thoughtful, full of appreciation, encouraging, with a thankfulness in his heart". He said that he got to know many of Mr Andrews's other qualities over the years, but top of the list was his role as a great family man.
"In addition to his immediate family, Niall had a special place in his heart for the wider family of human beings here in Ireland, in Europe and also in the developing world," Fr O'Doherty said.
"In fact, he had a passion for promoting the wellbeing of his fellow humans wherever they were, particularly those who endured hunger, strife, or unjust imprisonment." He added that victims of injustice had in Mr Andrews a friend who was willing to champion their cause.
"Niall Andrews, who used his many gifts for the welfare of people, here at home and among the developing community, is now alive, living among the most international of all communities whom we call the communion of saints."
The choir sang Nearer My God To Thee as Mr Andrews's remains were brought into the church, and the ceremony concluded with How Great Thou Art. There were readings and a decade of the rosary was recited.
The chief mourners were his wife Bernadette; son Chris; daughters Niamh and Kate; brothers David, a former Fianna Fáil minister and TD, and Hugh; sister Catherine; grandchildren; nephews, including Barry Andrews TD and broadcaster Ryan Tubridy; and nieces.
Chief Justice John Murray was among the large attendance, while Comdt Michael Murray represented Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Also there were former taoiseach Albert Reynolds, Minister for Social Affairs Séamus Brennan, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen, Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt, Minister of State for Health Sean Power and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Conor Lenihan.
Former ministers present included Gerard Collins, Michael Woods and Michael O'Kennedy; TDs Eamon Ryan, Olivia Mitchell, Sean Ardagh, Joe Jacob, John Gormley, Sean Crowe, Finian McGrath; Senators Jim Walsh, Timmy Dooley, Peter Callanan, Diarmuid Wilson and Geraldine Feeney. The attendance included MEP Eoin Ryan, former EU commissioner David Byrne, former MEPs Pat Cox and Patricia McKenna, former TD Ben Briscoe, former TD and senator Tom Hussey, former senator and Labour national organiser Pat Magnier, former High Court judge Hugh O'Flaherty and businessman Charlie Chawke.
Fianna Fáil head office was represented by Sean Sherwin and Olivia Buckley.
Mr Andrews will be buried today at Mount Venus Cemetery following Requiem Mass at 10am.
