Former Taoiseach John Bruton has been remembered as a “man of integrity and truth” at his funeral in Dunboyne today. 

Family members, friends and politicians have gathered in St Peter and Paul’s Church in Dunboyne, Co Meath, today for the State funeral. 

Politicians in attendance include Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, President Michael D. Higgins and Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill. 

The 76-year-old former Fine Gael leader died peacefully in the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin in the early hours of Tuesday morning following a long illness. 

Delivering the homily, Father Bruce Bradley described him as “humble and unassuming, a man of integrity and truth”. 

“[Mr Bruton] was honest and honourable, patient and persevering, courageous and committed,” he said. 

“He was willing to lead even when it meant going against the grain, as the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Mr Bruton's life "was defined by love".

"Love of family, love of county, love of politics, love of our party, love of country," he said.

"The centre of his life was Finola, and their children Matthew, Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth.

"He loved politics and believed it was the best way to achieve real and lasting change for the good... He loved Fine Gael, even when we disappointed him."

Bruton a 'reflective Catholic'

Fr Bradley also said Mr Bruton was a “reflective Catholic” at his core. 

“He was rooted in his faith. His life cannot be understood properly apart from that,” he said. 

Fr Bradley also noted one condolence Mr Bruton received online from a Fianna Fáil supporter in Kildare. 

“You treated your allies and those of us with different political persuasions equally and without malice,” it said. 

Two of Mr Bruton’s grandchildren brought gifts to the alter – a photo of Mr Bruton and his family and his book Faith in Politics. 

Fine Gael TD and Mr Bruton’s brother Richard Bruton led the prayers of the faithful while his daughter Emily read the poem Death Is Nothing at All.  

'He was warm'

Former Fianna Gael politician Ivan Yates told The Anton Savage Show ahead of the funeral the former Taoiseach will be remembered for his “decency and humanity”. 

"His public image and private reality were completely different,” he said. 

“On a one-to-one private level he was empathetic, he was warm, he was loyal. 

“He really had my back on every occasion.” 

This is the first State funeral for a politician in nearly a decade. Some 180 members of the Defence Forces are also taking part in the proceedings. 

The burial will take place around 1pm in Rooske Cemetery.