Family tribute to developer Patrick Gallagher

Property developer Patrick Gallagher "never forgot how to dream", the congregation at the Church of the Assumption, Booterstown Avenue, Dublin, was told by his son yesterday evening.

In a short address to the attendance at the removal of the remains of Patrick Gallagher, his son, also Patrick, said his father had the knack of kindling the best qualities in others.

Life was "never a bowl of cherries for Dad," he said, but he never forgot how to dream. He'd had his ups and downs in life, "but through it all he meant well".

"He had a wit like no other, enjoyed a party and a song. He would like to be here tonight."

He said his father would like people to "celebrate his life, not mourn his death".

Mr Gallagher's sister, Delia, said many people had been extremely generous in a number of ways to her late brother during difficult times.

She said that in the end he had died quickly, and not from cancer.

"He would have liked to have said thank you, so on his behalf I would like to say, 'thank you'."

She said she wanted to mention his partner, Yvonne Daly, who had looked after him in recent years, and his former wife, Susan, who had "put up with him for so many years".

To laughter and applause, she said she "shuddered to think" how many other women had been involved in her brother's life.

The mourners were led by his partner, Yvonne Daly, former wife Susan Craigie, sons Matthew and Patrick, sisters Delia, Maureen and Cathy, brother Paul, and nieces and nephews. Prayers were led by Fr Thomas Kennedy.

Among those present were property developer Mark Kavanagh; Ivor Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick solicitors; Joe McGowan of Brennan & McGowan builders; John Cousins, former financial director of the Gallagher Group; Frank Connolly, former journalist and executive director of the Centre for Public Inquiry; and Eileen Gleeson, public-relations executive. Also in attendance was Laurence Crowley, former receiver to the Gallagher Group.

Mr Gallagher is to be buried today at Three-Mile-Water Cemetery, Co Wicklow, following 11.15am Mass.