‘A VISIONARY AND GREAT STATESMAN’
To Bruton at removal mass
FORMER taoiseach John Bruton has been described as “a visionary” and “a great statesman”, at a removal mass at a Co Meath church ahead of his state funeral.
Mr Bruton’s remains were taken to St Peter and Paul’s Church on the main street of his home town of Dunboyne.
Former minister Richard Bruton carried the coffin of his older brother into the church for last night’s ceremony.
During the mass, parish priest Pat O’connor described Mr Bruton as a “visionary” and a man committed to peace.
He added: “No matter what position John found himself, he gave it his all, as a TD, as a minister, as taoiseach.
“He was a great statesman, his vision for the European Union was far-seeing.
“He certainly was a great ambassador for the EU. Not only for the EU, but also for Ireland.
“John Bruton, a
Tributes politician, a minister, taoiseach, ambassador, all great achievements for the Dunboyne man who never lost touch with his roots.”
EU Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Justice Minister Helen Mcentee were among those at the service.
Culture Minister Catherine Martin and her husband Francis Noel Duffy TD, Children’s Minister
Roderic O’gorman, and Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne were also present.
Senior politicians and dignitaries are expected to attend the funeral at the same church today, before he is buried at Rooske Cemetery.
Mr Bruton, who was Ireland’s premier between 1994 and 1997 and leader of Fine Gael between 1990 and 2001, died on Tuesday aged 76, surrounded by his family in hospital after a long illness. Born in Dunboyne, he graduated from University College Dublin before qualifying as a barrister.
After becoming taoiseach, one of Mr Bruton’s first policy initiatives was to call for a referendum that would see the Irish constitution change to allow divorce.
Later that same year he welcomed the then-prince of Wales to Dublin, marking the first official visit by a member of the royal family since the founding of the state.
He was pivotal in establishing the Northern Ireland peace process alongside then-uk prime minister John Major, as they launched the Anglo-irish Framework document.
Politicians have praised his intellect, sense of humour and distinctive laugh as well as his passion for farming and dedication to his faith.
He is survived by his wife Finola, his children Matthew, Juliana, Emily and Maryelizabeth, and his grandchildren.