The funeral has taken place of one of the most prominent members of the pro-life movement in Ireland over the last 35 years after he passed away last week. Former Senator, Des Hanafin, was a founding member of the Pro-Life Campaign which succeeded in adding recognition of the right to life of the unborn to the Constitution in 1983. He fought valiantly over the next few decades to preserve that protection, even at the expense of his own political career, losing his seat in Seanad Eireann in 1993, though he regained it in 1997. He was also a prominent campaigner against divorce and same-sex marriage.

His funeral yesterday was attended by a host of dignitaries including the current leader of Fianna Fail, Micheal Martin, and numerous former Government Ministers. His daughter Mary Hanafin, herself a former Minister of Education, spoke of the ups and downs of her father’s life, including overcoming alcoholism which took a severe car crash to spur him into action and several illnesses and injuries. But what kept him going for so long were, she said, “the will of God, his own absolute, undying will to live, and the love and care of Mona [his wife], 60 years by his side”.

Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.