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| Albert Reynolds: Funeral of former Irish PM takes place in Dublin | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A state funeral for the Irish Republic's former Prime Minister Albert Reynolds has taken place in Dublin. | |
| The Fianna Fáil politician, who was born in Rooskey, County Roscommon, served as taoiseach (prime minister) from February 1992 to December 1994. | The Fianna Fáil politician, who was born in Rooskey, County Roscommon, served as taoiseach (prime minister) from February 1992 to December 1994. |
| Mr Reynolds, who played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process, died on Thursday at the age of 81. | Mr Reynolds, who played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process, died on Thursday at the age of 81. |
| His funeral was held at Sacred Heart Church, Donnybrook, Dublin. | |
| He will be buried in Shanganagh Cemetery, Shankill, with full military honours. | He will be buried in Shanganagh Cemetery, Shankill, with full military honours. |
| Among the mourners were Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Irish President Michael D Higgins, as well as former Irish prime ministers Brian Cowen and John Bruton, and former president Mary McAleese. | |
| Mr Reynolds had worked with the then British Prime Minister Sir John Major to create 1993's Downing Street Declaration, which effectively set in train the Northern Ireland peace process, including the 1994 IRA ceasefire. | |
| Sir John's attendance at the funeral was greeted with a round of applause in the church. | |
| Fr Brian D'Arcy told mourners it had been particularly important for the family that he was able to attend. | |
| He said: "His (Sir John's) words were typical: 'Where else would I be on this day?"' | |
| Former SDLP leader and Nobel prize winner John Hume, current SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell, Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, and Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers were also in attendance. | |
| Pope Francis sent a message paying tribute to Mr Reynolds' role as a peacemaker, in a telegram from the Vatican's secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin. | |
| "The Holy Father learned with sadness of the death of the former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, and he asks you kindly to convey his condolences to Mrs Reynolds and their children and family," he said. | |
| "Recalling with gratitude the late Taoiseach's efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Ireland, His Holiness prays for the eternal repose of his soul." | |
| Last week, prominent political figures from across the Irish Republic, Northern Ireland and Britain paid tribute to Mr Reynolds. | Last week, prominent political figures from across the Irish Republic, Northern Ireland and Britain paid tribute to Mr Reynolds. |