Funeral Held for Former Minister David Andrews, Good Friday Agreement Negotiator

The funeral of former Government minister David Andrews, a significant figure in Irish politics and a key architect of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, took place on Saturday at St John the Baptist Church in Blackrock, Dublin. Andrews passed away on Wednesday at the age of 91.

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my older brother David should be doing the eulogy, but he has a hard and fast rule that he doesn't try out new material on an audience, so you're stuck with me

Senior political figures, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and former president Michael D Higgins, joined family and friends to pay their respects. The eulogy was delivered by his son, Barry Andrews, who lightheartedly noted his brother's absence, stating, "you're stuck with me."

Barry Andrews spoke of the profound impact his father had, emphasizing the word "integrity" that has been consistently used in tributes. He highlighted his father's pride in being one of the four signatories of the Good Friday Agreement, alongside Bertie Ahern, Tony Blair, and Mo Mowlam. Beyond his political achievements, Barry Andrews painted a picture of a man with a warm sense of humor and a generous spirit, sharing stories that revealed his father's personality.

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integrity

Anecdotes included an amusing encounter with Muhammad Ali when Andrews served as government chief whip, and a humorous misunderstanding when he was appointed minister for foreign affairs. The eulogy also touched upon Andrews's love for interacting with people and his enjoyment of making new acquaintances. Symbols representing his life, including a fishing rod, a signed Good Friday Agreement, family photos, and a TV remote, were presented by his grandchildren during the service.

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I'll whip you!

David Andrews served as a Fianna Fáil TD for 37 years, from 1965 to 2002. He held ministerial positions in foreign affairs, defense, and the marine, and played a crucial role in the peace process. He also actively campaigned for the Guildford Four and Birmingham Six.

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you're getting FA