FF leader pays tribute to late Donegal TD

The funeral was taking place in Fanad in Co Donegal this afternoon of the former Independent Fianna Fáil TD Harry Blaney who died on Monday, aged 85.

A large congregation of mourners gathered today at Massmount Catholic Church for Requiem Mass for Mr Blaney, brother of the TD Neil Blaney, a central figure in the 1970 Arms Crisis who split from Fianna Fáil and formed Independent Fianna Fáil.

Harry Blaney was TD for Donegal North East until 2002 when he retired from Leinster House to be succeeded by his son Niall. He lost out to Cecilia Keaveney of Fianna Fáil in the 1995 by-election caused by the death of Neil Blaney but won a seat in the general election two years later.

For many years Mr Blaney was also an Independent Fianna Fáil county councillor, making sure the interests of his brother Neil, to whom he was fiercely loyal, were represented at local level.

Part of his legacy to Co Donegal is the Harry Blaney Bridge which opened in 2009 linking the Fanad and Rosguill peninsulas across Mulroy Bay. The bridge was part of the deal Mr Blaney won for supporting Bertie Ahern's coalition government of 1997-2002.

Chief mourners today were his wife Margaret, daughters Noreen, Catherine, Breideen, Patricia and Noelle and his sons Liam and Niall.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who was among several politicians who attended the funeral , said he had "fond memories" of Mr Blaney from his time as a TD.

"It is a great privilege to be here, to be with his family, in this beautiful part of Donegal to remember Harry and pay tribute to him," he said.

Rev Patrick McGarvey, the chief celebrant and local parish priest, referring to the Harry Blaney Bridge, said he was a "bridge-builder" who had strongly represented his people.