Funeral of former Fianna Fail senator Eoin Ryan

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was among the large number of mourners attending the Requiem Mass for Mr Eoin Ryan, the late Fianna Fβil senator and businessman.

Many prominent figures from politics, business, law and the Catholic Church were among the mourners at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Merrion Road, Dublin, yesterday morning.

Mr Ryan, a son of one of the Fianna Fβil party's founding members, Dr James Ryan, died on Friday aged 81 after a long illness.

The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented at the service by Capt Sue Ramsbottom.

The Tβnaiste, Ms Harney, and Minister of State, Ms Liz O'Donnell, were among the congregation. Also present were the Labour leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn; former Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton; and Green Party TD, Mr John Gormley.

The principal celebrant, Father Owen Sweeney, paid tribute to an "exemplary Christian". He said the large congregation was there to celebrate a very special and colourful life of a leading figure in his generation.

Father Sweeney said it seemed natural that Mr Ryan would go into public life and remain at its centre for 30 years.

He had been a man of "unique integrity" who gave outstanding service to his local community and the whole of society.

"All of us who came into contact with him remember a very caring and gentle person. We in the parish will remember him always as a loyal parishioner who was always able to serve his community in any way he could," Father Sweeney said.

Mr Ryan's family would remember him more simply, as a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather.

He offered his sympathy to Mr Ryan's widow Joan, sons Jim, Eoin (the Minister of State for Tourism, Sport, and Recreation) and Mark, and daughter Derbhail, brother SΘamus, sister Nuala, daughters-in-law Kathryn, Sheila and Clare and many other relatives and friends.

He said Mr Ryan had held an important place in the lives of his 11 grandchildren.

His family should take comfort from the fact that Mr Ryan was a man of deep faith and great goodness.

"Death is the beginning of a new and far more wonderful kind of life than was ever possible in this world," he said.

Mr Ryan's son Jim described his father as a wonderful family man.

"He never dictated what we should do with our lives," he said. However, Mr Ryan was always willing to provide guidance to his family. His son thanked all those who had cared for him during his illness, during which his father had remained bright and cheerful.

He noted that the words "honourable" and "loyal" were frequently used in tributes to his father. The congregation applauded when he finished speaking.

Mr Ryan was buried in Redford Cemetery, Greystones.