Former Fine Gael TD Liam Burke strode through Cork politics like a colossus for more than four decades with a model commitment to representing his constituents, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny told mourners at his funeral yesterday.
"His was the kind of politics that were a model for a younger generation to follow because there was humour and devilment," Mr Kenny said, "but there was an understanding that at the end of the day, his principles were loyalty to his party and a commitment to public representation."
Mr Kenny made his comments during a graveside oration for Mr Burke (78), who was first elected to the Dáil in 1969. He was re-elected eight more times for Cork North Central before retiring from national politics in 2002. He had also served as lord mayor of Cork in 1984.
Political figures from past and present joined to pay their last respects to Mr Burke and to sympathise with his widow, Noreen, and their daughters, Emma and Catherine, following Requiem Mass at St Columba's Church in Douglas, Cork city.
President Mary McAleese was represented by her aide-de-camp, Comdt Lester Costello, while the Government was represented by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin.
Lord Mayor of Cork Ms Deirdre Clune was represented by former Fine Gael TD Jim Corr, while members of Cork City Council also attended.
Among the many mourners yesterday were former tánaiste Dick Spring, former minister for foreign affairs Peter Barry and former minister for agriculture Joe Walsh. Former minister for justice Paddy Cooney had earlier attended Mr Burke's removal.
Also present were Mr Burke's constituency colleague Bernard Allen TD, as well as former Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan, TDs Phil Hogan, Jimmy Deenihan, Simon Coveney, and former Fine Gael and now Independent TD, Michael Lowry.
Other politicians to pay their respects at Mr Burke's removal and funeral included Minister of State for Enterprise Batt O'Keeffe TD, as well as fellow Cork Fianna Fáil TDs John Dennehy and Dan Wallace.
Fine Gael TDs Jim O'Keeffe, David Stanton, Gerard Murphy, Tom Hayes and Dan Neville also attended, as did senators Paul Bradford and Paul Coghlan.
Also there were Labour's Kathleen Lynch TD, Dan Boyle TD of the Green Party and former mayor of Cork, Michael Creed. Among the political figures from the past were former Fine Gael TDs Donal Carey, Paddy Sheehan and Tom Enright; former MEP John Cushnahan, former Labour TD Toddy O'Sullivan, and former Progressive Democrats TDs Máirín Quill and Pearse Wyse.
