Over a thousand people gave a standing ovation to the memory of the late Independent TD, Tony Gregory after his coffin was brought to his local church in inner-city Dublin tonight.
Hundreds walked behind as his coffin was carried from his home in Sackville Gardens, Ballybough to St. Agatha's Church.
The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmaid Martin attended the removal, along with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and a host of serving and retired members of the Oireachtas.
His coffin was draped in the Starry Plough as it made the short distance from his home to St Agatha's in bitterly-cold temperatures.
Fr Piaras O Duill said the funeral offered the people of the inner-city and beyond the opportunity to pay tribute to a man who had displayed integrity, courage and honour during his life.
"We join in sincere compassion as we share in this great loss and as we share it we express our deep appreciation for the life of Tony," he told the church that was filled to over-flowing.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Mary Hanafin; the Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy and Assistant Garda Commissioner Al McHugh were amongst the congregation.
So, too, was the Ceann Comhairle, John O'Donoghue and Ministers of State Sean Power, Conor Lenihan and John Serving Independent deputy, Finian McGrath was also present; along with former colleagues, Seamus Healy, Catherine Murphy, Paddy McHugh; and Socialist Party leader and
ex-Dublin West TD, Joe Higgins.
The funeral mass, which will be attended by a large number of the Cabinet, including Taoiseach Brian Cowen, will take place tomorrow morning.
Father Peter McVerry, the Jesuit priest who worked closely alongside Mr Gregory on many inner-city issues, will give an oration at the mass.
