David Andrews was a man of integrity who played vital role in peace process, funeral hears

David Andrews, a former Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for Foreign Affairs, was honored at his funeral on Saturday as a figure of great integrity and empathy who was instrumental in the 1998 Belfast Agreement. Andrews passed away at the age of 91.

During the funeral mass at St John the Baptist Church in Blackrock, his son Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament for Dublin, expressed the family's pride in David Andrews' contribution to peace on the island of Ireland. He was one of the four signatories of the historic agreement.

Attendees at the mass included Taoiseach Micheál Martin, former President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina, and Captain Paul O’Donnell, aide-de-camp to President Catherine Connolly. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was also among the mourners.

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a source of enormous pride

Barry Andrews highlighted his father's empathy, noting his strong belief in the unjust treatment of Irish prisoners in British jails. David Andrews was actively involved in campaigns for the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four. This empathy extended to his constituency of Dún Laoghaire, where he championed social housing schemes early in his career.

The eulogy also touched upon David Andrews' long-standing friendship with former President Higgins, with whom he collaborated on human rights cases for years. Barry recalled his father's personal joys, including spending time with his wife Annette, whom he married in 1964, his children, and grandchildren, and enjoying a pint after fishing in South Connemara.

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Michael D was the greatest human rights advocate of this generation