There is nothing so like God as silence, mourners were told at the funeral of former Fine Gael government minister and Louth TD, Mr Paddy Donegan.
Father Dan Mellett, chief celebrant at the funeral Mass, contrasted the silence of death with the former politician "who had been such a lively person".
Mr Donegan, who died on Sunday, was buried in Monasterboice Cemetery, north of Drogheda, yesterday. Representatives of State and church joined family, friends and neighbours at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tenure, to pay their final respects. O Dalaigh as a "thundering disgrace" when he the then President referred an Emergency Powers Bill to the Supreme Court.
Father Mellett, a cousin of Mr Donegan's wife, Olivia, described the former politician as a big-hearted and generous man.
The Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, Dr Gerard Clifford, presided at the Mass.
The mourners were led by Mrs Olivia Donegan, sons Thomas and Vincent, and daughters Annette and Rosanne.
The attendance included former Taoisigh Liam Cosgrave and Fine Gael leader John Bruton; former ministers Paddy Cooney (FG) and Padraig Faulkner (FF), a life-long friend of Mr Donegan; former TD Jim Tunney (FF); the Fine Gael chief whip Charles Flanagan; deputies Brendan McGahon (FG) and Michael Bell (Lab); Senator Fergus O'Dowd (FG); the Mayor of Drogheda, Mr Frank Godfrey; Capt Michael Treacy, ADC to the President; Comdt Michael Kiernan, ADC to the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern; and Lt Col David Griffin, who represented the Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Colm Mangan. The Garda was represented by Chief Supt Michael Finegan and Supt Fergus Doggett, Louth Meath Division.