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Thomas Kent laid to rest at State funeral

President Michael D Higgins attended the State funeral
President Michael D Higgins attended the State funeral

The State funeral of Thomas Kent, one of 16 men executed following the 1916 Rising, took place in his home village of Castlelyons in Co Cork today.

President Michael D Higgins was among the congregation at the funeral, which began at 1.45pm.

The graveside oration was given by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

More than 5,000 people filed past Kent's coffin which lay in state at Collins Barracks in Cork City last night.

At midday, with full military honours, Kent's remains were brought from the Garrison Chapel in Collins Barracks to Cork Prison.

Prison officers formed a guard of honour there before private prayers were said by his family.

Kent's coffin then began its journey home, past Kent Railway Station, which was named after him in 1966.

The funeral cortege travelled onwards to the family farm at Bawnard in Castlelyons before it arrived at St Nicholas Church.

Kent's remains were laid to rest alongside his brothers David, Richard and William.