PRO-CATHEDRAL: PRESIDENT MARY McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern were among several hundred mourners attending the removal service of the late president Patrick Hillery at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin yesterday afternoon.
Mourners were led by Dr Maeve Hillery, widow of the late president, and their son, Dr John Hillery.
There was a large turnout of Government Ministers and Ministers of State, members of the Council of State, Oireachtas members and senior civil servants.
The chief celebrant was Auxiliary Bishop Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh of Dublin with Fr Des Hillery, nephew of the late president; and Fr Aidan Lehane CSSp, and Auxiliary Bishop Eamonn Walsh of Dublin.
Military pallbearers brought the remains into the church shortly after 4pm. The coffin was draped in the Tricolour and, after it was put in position in front of the altar, a copy of the Bible and a framed photograph of Dr Hillery in an Aran sweater and sailing cap were placed upon it.
Dr Martin McAleese, husband of the President, read from the First Letter of St John: "Think of the love that the father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are."
In his homily, Bishop Ó Ceallaigh said he had known the late president for 57 years.
He was "a serious man" who recognised the gifts and talents bestowed upon him by his parents and by God and used those gifts for the betterment of his fellow men and women.
Music and singing played a large part in the service, with performances of religious airs in Irish, English and Latin by Rónán Ó Dubhghaill, Mary Flynn and Mihaela Loredana-Chirvase, a DIT music student from Bucharest who gave a haunting rendition of Giulio Caccini's Ave Maria. Musical accompaniment was by Theresa O'Donnell on the harp and Sharon Lyons on violin.
At the end of the service, mourners queued to offer their condolences to Dr Maeve Hillery and to Dr John and Carolyn Hillery and their four children, Sarah Jane, Patrick, Michael and David.
The President and Dr Martin McAleese were first to offer their sympathy along with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste Brian Cowen, former taoisigh Liam Cosgrave, Garret FitzGerald and Albert Reynolds; Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny; Labour leader Eamon Gilmore; SDLP leader Mark Durkan; former European commissioners Ray MacSharry and Michael O'Kennedy; Leas-Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin (representing the Ceann Comhairle) and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Pat Moylan.
The Council of State, which advises the President, was also strongly represented, as well as the judiciary and the highest levels of the civil service.
Hundreds of people queued last night to pay respect to the late president who lay in state in a closed casket in advance of today's funeral.
Following Requiem Mass at noon today, the funeral will take place to St Fintan's Cemetery in Sutton. At the request of the family, the graveside oration will be given by Mr Cowen.
Leading the tributes from party leaders in the Dáil yesterday, the Taoiseach said Dr Hillery's career summed up "what is best about politics and public service".
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said: "Many, including within Fianna Fáil, believe the party might possibly have had a richer, better and prouder life if led by Paddy Hillery than the life it had when led by others, but this was not to be."
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said: "There are few public figures who have left behind such a record of achievement at constituency, national and international level."
The Garda Press Office yesterday issued a statement on traffic arrangements for the funeral in Dublin.
It said between 10.30am and 2.30pm, Marlborough Street will be closed to traffic and Butt Bridge will be closed from 1pm to about 2.30pm.
Motorists travelling along Pearse Street will be diverted from Tara Street on to Burgh Quay and along O'Connell Street.
Eden Quay will be closed to vehicular traffic from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Traffic will be diverted up O'Connell Street or southbound across O'Connell Bridge. Other restrictions will be in operation around Beresford Place. Commuters are advised to avoid these areas during these hours if at all possible.
