SDLP FOUNDER member, Stormont MP and barrister Paddy O’Hanlon has been buried in Mullaghbawn, Co Armagh.
He died in Dublin’s Mater hospital on Tuesday after a short illness. He was 65.
St Mary’s Church in the south Armagh village was packed with mourners, who also filled the church grounds. Parish priest Fr John Heagney led three concelebrants at the requiem Mass.
The SDLP was represented by a host of Mr O’Hanlon’s former colleagues from the earliest days of the party as well as by Assembly members and councillors.
Former leader John Hume was accompanied by his former deputy, Séamus Mallon, former West Belfast MP Dr Joe Hendron and by Ivan Cooper. Assembly members Dr Alasdair McDonnell, PJ Bradley, John Dallat and Patsy McGlone were present.
President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen were officially represented.
Fianna Fáil was represented by Mr O’Hanlon’s cousin, Dr Rory O’Hanlon TD; by Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith and chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party Séamus Kirk. Fine Gael’s Austin Currie attended the wake but was unable to attend the funeral. Prominent SDLP councillors Peter O’Hagan and Geraldine Donnelly also attended.
The Workers’ Party was represented by Tom French. Former SDLP member and columnist Dr Brian Feeney was also present.
The congregation also included members of the Irish Bar which Mr O’Hanlon joined in 1986. Mr O’Hanlon’s friend, fellow SDLP member and solicitor Rory McShane, made an address.
Mr O’Hanlon’s remains were buried in the adjoining cemetery alongside those of his wife, Anne, Marley who died 13 years ago.