The funeral of the former republican politician and lawyer Mr Paddy Kennedy took place yesterday in Foxrock, Dublin.
Tributes were paid at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church to Mr Kennedy's work in defence of civil rights and his compassion for the less fortunate.
The chief celebrant, Father Martin Kelly, said a strong sense of justice was the driving force in Mr Kennedy's varied and colourful life.
He had an empathy for those people who were "bent double because of adverse circumstances". He "took on the bigotry of Belfast City Council" and defended his people when they were "fleeing the Falls Road from Kosovo-like ethnic cleansing".
The late 1960s and early 1970s, when Mr Kennedy was active in Northern politics, were difficult and dangerous times and he showed courage, determination and resilience, said Father Kelly.
Tributes were paid to Mr Kennedy's wife, Geraldine, who nursed him over the past year as he battled with cancer. Praise was also given to his children, Siobhan, John, Deirdre, Rory and Grainne, as well as other relatives, friends and medical staff for their support during Mr Kennedy's illness.
Journalist and broadcaster Vincent Browne said Mr Kennedy was "compulsively generous" and opened up his home to anybody in need. Members of the legal profession and politicians were strongly represented at the funeral. Among those who attended were veteran republican Mr Joe Cahill, the former SDLP MP Dr Joe Hendron, former Stormont Assembly member Mr Paddy O'Hanlon, Ms Mary Hanafin TD, the former Government press secretary, Mr Joe Jennings, former Fianna Fail TD Mr Sean Sherwin, solicitor Mr Tony Hanahoe, Mr Eoin McGonigal SC, RTE presenters Rodney Rice and Nick Coffey, the chairman of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Mr Michael Farrell, and the cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Dr Richard Conroy.