Former Irish Prime Minister John Bruton was buried in a state funeral in his hometown of Dunboyne, County Meath.
Mr Bruton, who served as Prime Minister from 1994 to 1997, He died peacefully in hospital He was 76 years old on Tuesday.
His funeral was attended by politicians past and present, including the current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Among those who arrived at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday morning.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar arrives for the state funeral. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Irish President Michael D Higgins was also present to offer condolences, as was Northern Ireland Newly appointed First Minister Michelle O'Neill Her deputy, Emma Little Pengelly.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pingley were sworn in at Stormont last Saturday. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Northern Ireland's new First Minister and her deputy speak to Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and former container Enda Kenny outside the church. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Irish President Michael D Higgins (centre). Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
They joined Mr Bruton's wife, Finola, his children – Matthew, Juliana, Emily and Mary Elizabeth – his brother, former minister Richard Bruton, and his grandchildren at the funeral.
Other political figures attending the conference included Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny, who previously served as Prime Minister, and Irish Labor Party leader Ivana Bacic.
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Former Prime Minister Bertie Ahern (left) arrives alongside Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the Department for Transport. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Former Prime Minister Enda Kenny (right) in church. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
In the homily, Father Bruce Bradley described Mr Broughton as an “exceptionally good man”.
“John was honest and honourable, patient and persistent, courageous and committed, ‘willing to lead even when it meant going against the grain,’ said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, humble and unassuming, a man of integrity and truth.” “.
Irish Labor Party leader Ivana Bacic during the funeral. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
After the service, Mr Broughton's coffin – draped in the Irish flag – was carried out of the church to the burial place.
Mr Broughton's family were by his side when he died after a long illness.
John Broughton photographed in 1996. Pic: PA
John Bruton, former Prime Minister, in July 2022. Pic: PA
As Prime Minister, he was instrumental in working with then British Prime Minister Sir John Major to launch the Anglo-Irish Framework Document in 1995, which proposed new relations between Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Sir John led a salute to Mr Broughton After his death, he described him as a “courageous and talented” leader who “contributed strongly to the early days of the peace process.”
