Hundreds of people from the legal and political worlds attended the removal of the barrister and Fianna Fáil strategist, Mr Eamon Leahy SC, in Blackrock, Co Dublin, on Saturday.
Mourners were led by Mr Leahy's widow, the Government chief whip, Ms Mary Hanafin, his father, Eamon, and brothers, Fergal and Tom.
The parents of Ms Hanafin, Des and Mona, and her brother, Senator John Hanafin, were also among the principal mourners at the Church of St John the Baptist.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, were among the politicians in attendance. Capt Michael Treacy represented the President, Mrs McAleese.
Father Martin Clarke, a friend of Mr Leahy and director of the Catholic Communications Centre in Maynooth, officiated.
Also present to receive the remains were Cardinal Desmond Connell and the auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Dr Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh.
Father Clarke said that the family and friends of Mr Leahy had learned of his sudden death with shock and bewilderment. He spoke of Mr Leahy's love of life, his humour, his warm nature, his generosity and of his liveliness. He spoke also of Mr Leahy's enjoyment of the legal profession and of the company of his colleagues.
Father Clarke said Mr Leahy was not one to allow the difficulties and hardships of life to bring him down. His outlook was informed by a sense of the good things in life and the good of things in life.
"Eamon lived life to the full and packed so much into a relatively short space of time," he said. "So many of us have enjoyed his company, and his hospitality was legendary."
Government representatives in attendance included the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, who was a close friend of Mr Leahy; the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey; the Minister for Health, Mr Martin; the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith; and the Minister for Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Caoimh.
The Attorney General, Mr Rory Brady, and the Ministers of State Mr Brian Lenihan and Mr Tom Kitt, attended.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of TDs and senators, among them Mr Séamus Kirk TD, chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
Members of the judiciary present included Ms Justice McGuinness of the Supreme Court. Mr Justice Carney of the High Court and the president of the Circuit Court, Mr Justice Smyth, also attended. Judge Cormac Dunne of the District Court attended.
The former Garda commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, who retired yesterday, was also present. Mr Leahy acted as senior counsel for Mr Byrne at the Morris tribunal.
The service was attended by the Garda Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy, who takes office today. Two Assistant Commissioners, Mr Kevin Carty and Mr Tony Hickey, also attended.
Mr Leahy's funeral Mass takes place at 11.30 this morning in Blackrock. He will be buried at Fingal Cemetery, Balgriffin.