Funeral tributes paid to Lawlor
Controversial former Government TD Liam Lawlor was a man of courage and humour who always found time to help others, his funeral mass heard today.
Father Tony Reilly told the packed congregation at St Patrick’s Church in West Dublin that Mr Lawlor also enjoyed cross-party respect from his 25-year career as a politician.
The 61-year-old was killed last weekend when the Mercedes car he was being driven in crashed into a concrete lamppost on a motorway outside Moscow.
The Lucan businessman was imprisoned briefly three times in 2001 and 2002 for failing to co-operate with the Flood Tribunal into planning corruption in County Dublin.
Father Reilly said that Mr Lawlor’s death was a huge shock to his wife Hazel, his children and grandchildren and family friends.
“Liam was one of those larger than life characters we all come across from time to time. He was an outstanding communicator especially when the going got rough.
“His family has told me he was a great family man. He truly loved his family and was particularly proud of his grandchildren, Liam Jnr, James and Nicole.
“He had great courage especially in times of difficulty. No matter how difficult times were, he always found time to help others.”
Today’s funeral drew a large attendance from the world of politics and business.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who is attending an EU conference in London was represented by his aide de camp Michael Murray.
Government chief whip Tom Kitt was also present as was former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, former EU Commissioner Ray MacSharry, Minister for Children Brian Lenihan and former political lobbyist and Flood Tribunal witness Frank Dunlop.
Mr Lawlor’s family accused the media of being reckless in its coverage of his death last weekend.
A number of Sunday newspapers claimed that a woman, later confirmed as Mr Lawlor’s interpreter, may have been a teenage prostitute and that the collision occurred in a red light area.
The Sunday Independent later apologised to the Lawlor family following its inaccurate report which also appeared in other newspapers.
| Related Stories: |
|
