CAIT’S FINAL FAREWELL TO DAD

■ ACTRESS Caitriona Balfe paid tribute to her father as he was laid to rest yesterday. Jim Balfe, a former garda sergeant, passed away last week.

■ Mourners gathered for his funeral mass at St Dympna’s Church in Tydavnet, Co Monaghan, with Jim later buried in the adjoining cemetery.

■ Amongst those in attendance were Jim’s bereaved wife Anne, and Catriona’s brothers Kevin, Francis and David, and sisters Deirdre, Anne-Marie and Lorraine.

In an online post ahead of her father’s funeral, Caitriona said: “Big Jim was a mountain of a man, big in stature and personality”.

■ She added that “his presence and influence was huge in her life and that he was loved by so many and will be missed by us all”.

■ She’s also thanked all Jim’s neighbours and friends for their kindness and thoughtfulness.

FUNERAL: Caitriona Balfe with her mother Ann and husband Jim McGill at the funeral in Monaghan; (right) Balfe on red carpet

INFLUENCE: Jim Balfe