Mr Tom O'Higgins, the former chief justice, was described at his removal yesterday as a great Christian gentleman whose secular activities were outstanding both to his country and to Europe.
The chief mourners in St Patrick's Church, Monkstown, Co Dublin, were joined by the President, Mrs McAleese, and many representatives of the judiciary and politics.
The mourners were led by Mr O'Higgins's widow Terry, his children Tom, Geraldine, Michael, Barry, Kevin, Derval and Shane, his 30 grandchildren, his brother Michael and sister Rosaleen.
Father Maurice O'Moore. parish priest, told many hundreds in the congregation that Mr O'Higgins and his wife had been regular worshippers at the church.
"Tom was a man of deep faith and his demeanour at prayer was an inspiration to me personally and to parishioners. I think of him this evening as a man of faith, as a man of prayer and a great Christian gentleman. His secular activities through his legal expertise were outstanding both to his country and to Europe," he said.
Father O'Moore said that many tributes had been paid to Mr O'Higgins in the media and everybody could be proud of the contribution he made as an Irishman through his religious faith, his sincerity and love of his country.
Father Bruce Bradley SJ, a friend of the family, gave a reading from the Gospel.
At the removal the Taoiseach was represented by his aide-de-camp, Capt Ger O'Grady.
Attending from the judiciary were the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Keane, the former chief justice, Mr Justice Finlay, and many former Supreme Court and High Court judges, including Mr Justice Henchy, Mr Justice Hederman, Mr Justice Egan, Mr Justice Lynch and Mr Justice Barrington who, like Mr O'Higgins, was also a European Court judge.
Also attending was Mr Harry Hill SC, retired master of the High Court, Mr Justice Flood, chairman of the Flood tribunal, as well many Supreme Court and High Court judges and barristers.
The director-general of the Law Society, Mr Ken Murphy, was also present, as were many solicitors.
The world of politics was well represented, particularly by members of the Fine Gael party, for which Mr O'Higgins was a TD and minister in the 1940s and 1950s.
Two former taoisigh, Dr Garret Fitzgerald and Mr Liam Cosgrave, attended. Also present was the leader of the Fine Gael party, Mr Enda Kenny, and Mr Tom Hayes, chairman of the parliamentary party, as well as many party TDs and former deputies.
Ms Maureen Lynch, widow of the former Fianna Fail taoiseach, Mr Jack Lynch, and Mr Dessie O'Malley, the former PD leader, also attended. The funeral Mass will be celebrated this morning at 11 a.m. The internment will be in Shanganagh Cemetery.