FRIENDS and former colleagues from journalism and public relations gathered yesterday for the funeral of Mr Alan Montgomery, a former editor of The Irish Times, public relations officer for Guinness Ireland and former director of Murray Consultants. Mr Montgomery (84) died on Monday after a long illness.
The Venerable Gordon Linney said Alan Montgomery had been most proud of having been a journalist. Throughout his career what marked him out was his integrity. He loved people, loved good conversation and even a good argument, because he had convictions, Archdeacon Linney said.
The mourners at the funeral at St Paul's Church, Glenageary, Co Dublin were led by his wife, Berteen, his daughters Meriel and Wyn and his grandchildren, Darragh, Naomi and Daniel.
Representing The Irish Times was the chairman and chief executive, Major T.B. McDowell. Directors of The Irish Times present at the funeral were the editor, Mr Conor Brady, and Mr Ken Gray, who is also a former deputy editor.
Managing editor Mr Pat O'Hara also attended, along with the chief leader writer, Mr Fergus Pyle. Also present was a former news editor of The Irish Times, Mr Gerry Mulvey the picture editor, Mr Dermot O'Shea; the editor of The Irish Field, Mr Val Lambe, and the chief critic, Mr Brian Fallon.
The National Union of Journalists was represented by the former Irish secretary, Mr Jim Eadie.
Former colleagues present included Mr Cathal O'Shannon, Mr Pat Smyllie, Mr Pat Nolan, Mr Arthur Reynolds and Mr Liam Kelly.
Other journalists present included Mr Michael Hand of the Sunday Tribune and a former editor of the Sunday Independent; freelance journalist and former deputy editor of The Irish Times, Mr Jim Downey; Irish In dependent religious affairs correspondent, Mr Joe Power; a former Irish Independent editor and religious affairs commentator, Mr Louis McRedmond; Irish Independent political writer and art critic, Mr Bruce Arnold; and the managing editor of Jemma Publications, Mr Frank Corr.
Mr Dermot Mullane and Mr Wesley Boyd, both former Irish Times journalists, now with RTE, also attended. A former head of the Government Information Service, Mr Eoin Neeson, and the head of journalism at Dublin City University, Mr John Horgan, also a former Irish Times journalist, were also present.
Among those from Guinness Ireland were former public relations officers Mr Billy Porter, and Mr Aidan O'Hanlon; public relations manager, Mr Pat Barry and former executive, Mr Harry Roycroft.
Public relations practitioners present included Mr Joe Murray and Mr Jim Milton, directors of Murray Consultants; Ms Ita Gibney; Mr Francis Xavier Carty, the president of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland and Mr Frank Dunlop, a former government press secretary.
Alan Montgomery's body was cremated at a private ceremony.