President Michael D Higgins led the mourners at the funeral of the former Fine Gael TD, senator and lord mayor of Dublin Alexis Fitzgerald on Saturday.

The Church of Mary Immaculate of Sinners in Rathmines in Dublin was packed with mourners who gave the popular former politician a round of applause as his remains were removed for burial in Glasnevin Cemetery.

Fr James Caffrey, former parish priest of Rathmines, said that as a friend Mr Fitzgerald had given him encouragement and sound advice.

Fr Caffrey recalled him as “a kind man, who acted with integrity and loved his family and community, country, city and church’’.

He said Mr Fitzgerald had once told him he most enjoyed politics when canvassing and working for the poorer areas of his Dublin constituency during his time as a TD and senator.

“He had a passion for justice and I know he would be delighted and honoured that a man he so deeply admired, President Higgins, was present at his funeral,’’ Fr Caffrey said.

Fr Caffrey said Mr Fitzgerald believed that politics was a noble profession and, despite the cynicism that exists in the country today, it is important to acknowledge the commitment of politicians like him and others in the service of the country.

He said that Mr Fitzgerald had first met his wife, Mary, when they were involved in the campaign to preserve the Wood Quay site in Dublin.

He had suggested she embark on a political career, and she was later elected to the Dáil.

“Obviously he had motives other than the purely political when he made that suggestion,’’ Fr Caffrey added.

He said Mr Fitzgerald had brought the commitment he showed in the Wood Quay campaign to bear as a politician and enhanced the beauty of the city that he served with such distinction as lord mayor.

“He was in the Dáil for a short time but he continued to love the political life,’’ Fr Caffrey said.

He said Mr Fitzgerald was a man who cared for people and the political party they belonged to did not matter to him.

‘Man of faith’

“Alexis was also a man of faith, deep, deep faith,’’ Fr Caffrey said.

“ He loved to pray and he loved the liturgy.’’

He said Mr Fitzgerald had an extraordinary ability to bring people together and those who met him felt better after having done so.

“He was a joyful man and he brought joy into the hearts of others.”

He said Mr Fitzgerald had shown extraordinary courage in his last illness, and faced difficulty with fortitude.

The chief mourners were his widow Mary Flaherty and his sons Oliver, Nicholas, Michael and Alexis.

The attendees also included Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, Renua leader Lucinda Creighton, former TDs Gerry Reynolds, Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, Fergus O'Brien, Tom Enright, John Connor, Liam Cosgrave, Paddy Cooney and Mary Hanafin.