MER TAOISEACH IS LAID TO REST
not going to do anything today to upset him or indeed upset you.
“I would like to thank all the people who have helped him in recent times and particularly the medical staff.
“I would like to acknowledge the great support given by members of An Garda Siochana down the years to the Cosgrave family and to dad in particular.
“He was a great supporter of theirs, and they returned it tenfold.
“My father had a great affinity for the Army and it is great to see them here with him to the very end.” It was a
relatively low-key and private funeral, with few of the trappings associated with similar state occasions. The hearse carried no flowers.
He added: “Affection, kindness, love and loyalty, dad gave us in abundance.
“He took a deep interest in the
welfare and support of his grandchildren Barry and William.
“One of the last things to bring a smile to his lips was being told last Monday William had passed his driving test at the first attempt, albeit by a short head.”
Mr Cosgrave was a devout Catholic, and family friend of 50 Mourners watch as coffin is carried in
Fine Gael’s Fitzgerald & Noonan With De Valera years Monsignor Wilson presided over the service. He said: “Liam Cosgrave loved his family, he loved his country, he loved his faith. He was a patriot in the very best sense of that term.” He added he also had great humility. Monsignor Wilson said: “Integrity was the hallmark of his private and public life.” Mr Cosgrave was buried in Goldenbridge Cemetery, Inchicore, beside his father WT Cosgrave, a key figure in the foundation of the Irish Free State and an officer in the 1916 Rising.
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From top, former Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Fine Fail leader Micheal Martin, TD Simon Coveney, TD Simon Harris and TD Joan Burton