Cosgrave to be buried today, with Army providing military honours

THE Army will render military honours at the funeral of former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave today.

Mr Cosgrave and his family were determined that there would be no formal State funeral for the man who played a key role in Irish politics for four decades.

But after consultations, the ceremonies will remain a mainly family event, with also a strong participation by the military.

On arrival at the Church of the Annunciation, Rathfarnham, Dublin, for Mass at noon, a bearer party of 10 military police will carry the coffin to church.

Family members will shoulder the coffin from the church afterwards.

At Goldenbridge Cemetery, Inchicore, there will be an Army honour guard, a military band and Army musicians. Volleys of shots will be fired and the ‘Last Post and Reveille’ will be sounded in formal farewell.

The family want to minimise any pomp attaching to the funeral and Mr Cosgrave himself was keen to keep things as simple as possible.

Fine Gael has said activists and members past and present will gather to honour the memory of a much revered leader.

Mr Cosgrave, aged 97, died in Dublin on Wednesday after several months of illness.

He was Taoiseach from 1973 to 1977 but eschewed publicity after quitting politics in 1981. He is survived by two sons, a daughter and his extended family.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this week led tributes to Mr Cosgrave, describing him as a man of great loyalty and kindness with a wonderful sense of humour and strong personal dignity.

“Liam Cosgrave’s entire life was in the service of the State: politician, soldier, Taoiseach.

“He inspired so many with his quiet, showless determination, courage and fortitude,” Mr Varadkar said.

Mr Varadkar also said that Mr Cosgrave had a commanding presence, but also great humility.

“In my own career, I have been inspired by his spirit of incredible public service and as Taoiseach I hope to live up to his great example,” he added.