Political heavyweights gather in Limerick to bid farewell to Gerry Collins

THEN MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Gerry Collins travelling from Damascus - after helping to free hostage Brian Keenan in 1990 - to Tournafulla for the funeral Mass of a parish priest encapsulated the international statesman who never lost the local touch, his funeral Mass heard this Thursday.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, President Catherine Connolly’s Aide-de-Camp, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Fianna Fail ministers and councillors were among the mourners in The Church of The Assumption in Mr Collins’ native Abbeyfeale. The 88-year-old passed away on Sunday after an illness bravely borne.

The Mass was delayed due to the number of mourners queuing in the aisle to offer their condolences to Mr Collins’ wife Hilary and family members. A long line commenced again to pay their respects after the Mass was over.

Mr Collins long political career began when he was first elected to Dáil Eireann in 1967, winning a seat in the Limerick West by-election following the death of his father, James Collins. Mr Collins was re-elected at every subsequent general election, until his retirement from Dáil Eireann in 1997. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament for Munster between 1994 and 2004.

Chief celebrant Monsignor Tony Mullins said the presence of so many was a wonderful reflection of the affection and the respect in which Mr Collins was held.

“He was a charismatic man who had a wonderful natural ability to connect with people. He had an easy charm about him that was both disarming and endearing. He treated everyone, regardless of their political persuasion or point of view, with genuine respect and courtesy.

“There's no doubt Gerry loved his work as a politician, and his interest in public life and in the affairs of our country never diminished. Indeed, he remained deeply interested and engaged right up to the very end of his life. And that in itself says a great deal about the depth of commitment and the passion that he had for the work to which he had devoted all of his life.”

Monsignor Mullins said Mr Collins was at ease in the company of all.

“He made time for everyone, and importantly, he knew how to listen. He was gracious and kind in his dealings with people. And if there was something he could do to help, he would do it. Those who came to him for advice or help found in him not only a willingness to help, but also a reassuring presence.

“He had a way of putting people at ease, of making them feel that their concerns mattered and that they were not alone in their struggle. I have no doubt but that what underpinned Gerry's deep sense of public service and public duty was his firm belief that anything he could do as a public representative to improve the lives of his fellow citizens was worth giving his time, his energy, and his commitment to. He saw this not simply as a responsibility, but as a kind of mission.”

Symbols of Mr Collins’s life included Bunreacht na hÉireann (Constitution of Ireland), which reflected his commitment to his country, to democracy, and to the people of Ireland. A European Merit Medal which was presented to Mr Collins by the EU in 1992 in recognition of his dedicated service to Ireland and his commitment to international cooperation and a united Europe.

A silver lobster from Kells Bay was brought to the altar to demonstrate his love of times holidaying and fishing in County Kerry. Lastly, a jar of mustard to symbolise the many happy memories of sitting around the dinner table, enjoying dinners, and very lively conversation with friends.

Monsignor Mullins said despite all his trips abroad Mr Collins had to return to West Limerick nearly every weekend. One story sums that love of home perfectly.

“This was where he was from. This is where he was truly connected. This was his place. I think those of us who followed Gerard's career will always remember the high points of his ministry and his public life. But one that I was reminded of myself when I was reflecting on his life in recent days was when he put so much work into securing the release of Brian Keenan, who was held hostage in Beirut for four-and-a-half years in the late 1980s.

“I can recall watching Sky News, which was new at the time, late into the night, as Gerard, in his role as foreign minister, traveled to Damascus on the government jet to bring Brian Keenan back to Ireland. It was an extraordinary moment, attracting wall-to-wall media attention and coverage right across the world.”

The following day here in West Limerick, in the parish of Tourinafulla, the dioceses and the local community were gathering around midday to celebrate the funeral Mass of its parish priest, another Abbeyfeale man, the late Fr Dan Murphy.

“Needless to say, all the talk in the sacristy among the priests before Mass was about the release of Brian Keenan and the role Gerard played in it. There was pride in the fact that it was, it was one of our own who was on the world stage, and even the Fine Gael clergy were in agreement. At midday, we began the funeral Mass for Fr Murphy, and at one stage during the Mass, there was a bit of activity and noise around the main door of the church.

“And when the door opened, in walked Gerard. Twelve hours earlier, he was in Damascus with world media attention on him. A few hours later, he was in Tournafulla at the funeral of the local parish priest. That was Gerard. His own community was always a priority for him, standing in solidarity with the parishioners of Tournafulla on the death of Fr Dan Murphy.”

Monsignor Mullins recalled that in the sacristy afterwards, one of his colleagues, said, "Dan Murphy must have done a Monsignor Horan on it and built a runaway in Tour’ so that the government jet could land on it!"

“But that was Gerry. He was always rooted at home. He never lost that connection. And in recent years, as Gerard's health declined, he faced the many challenges that his advancing years brought with great dignity, with great determination, never seeking limelight or help.

He carried it all silently. He faced his ill health with a strength and a spirit, I suppose that was characteristic of him persevering to the very end. The words of the second reading from St. Paul today, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’.

“Gerard has certainly run his race. He has remained faithful to the values and the convictions that shaped his life, values that were rooted in his Christian faith, and he leaves behind a legacy of service, commitment, and faithfulness that will continue to inspire us.”

At the end of the funeral Mass Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister of State Niall Collins unfurled the Irish Tricolour and placed it on Mr Collins’ coffin. Niall Collins gave the coffin a gentle tap as a final farewell.

The coffin was shouldered down the aisle and onwards to Mr Collins’ final resting place in Reilig Íde Naofa, Abbeyfeale.

Rest in peace.