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Funeral of Brian Lenihan in Dublin

St Mochta's Church - Funeral of Brian Lenihan
St Mochta's Church - Funeral of Brian Lenihan

The funeral has taken place of former Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, who died on Friday at the age of 52.

The mass was held at St Mochta's Church in Porterstown, Dublin 15.

Mr Lenihan has been laid to rest at St David's Church Graveyard, Kilsallaghan.

The funeral mass was attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Mary McAleese.

Leaders and representatives from across the political divide, from industry and across Irish society, were also in attendance.

They included Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, businessman Denis O'Brien, former Tánaiste Mary Harney and former Green Party leader and Cabinet colleague John Gormley.

The mass was said by family friend Fr Eugene Kennedy. He said that Mr Lenihan was cut down in his prime.

He said that Mr Lenihan in recent weeks said that he was not afraid, only concerned for the pain his family would suffer.

A further 22 priests, including three from Belvedere College which was Mr Lenihan's alma mater, were also at the mass.

Mr Lenihan's family was greeted by a warm round of applause from the assembled mourners as they arrived at the church for the mass.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral in Porterstown, in the heart of the Dublin West constituency where Mr Lenihan first won a seat in 1996. He held the seat in each successive election.

Mr Lenihan, who was deputy leader of Fianna Fáil, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2009.

The Cabinet held its meeting early this morning to allow Government ministers to attend Mr Lenihan's funeral.

As a mark of respect, the Dáil has been adjourned until tomorrow.