FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny delivered an emotional eulogy at the funeral of his official driver on Saturday, describing him as “my pilot for over 500,000 miles”.
Mr Kenny said Liam Coady (64), who died suddenly while on a visit to London over a week ago, “was an essential part of a successful working team who lived loyalty and discretion and confidentiality.” He added: “You’d get more from the engine of the car than from Coady.”
Mr Kenny said there was hardly a town or village in Ireland they had not visited together over the past nine years. “In all the miles and all the years, we never had a row, never went a mile in stony silence”, he continued.
Mr Kenny added: “Liam Coady didn’t just believe in Christian principles. He lived them. He had a deep spiritual nature.”
The chief mourners at the funeral Mass were Mr Coady’s widow Kathleen, daughter, Regina Coady Sweeney; his son-in-law Declan Sweeney; his brother Adrian and sister Maria Carty (Sligo). Chief celebrant of the funeral Mass was Mr Coady’s cousin Fr Liam Comer.
At the conclusion of the Mass, singer Michael English sang Liam’s favourite song My Way.
The vast throng of mourners included former EU ambassador and Fine Gael leader, John Bruton; former minister for justice Nora Owen; MEPs Jim Higgins and Mairéad McGuinness, as well as a large number of senators, TDs and councillors from all sides of the political divide.