PICTURES: Well-known Tipperary priest with links to IRA laid to rest

On June 18, republicans from across Ireland gathered in Rossmore to pay a final farewell to Fr Patrick Ryan.

The Tipperary priest, who was once one of the most wanted men in Britain and an instrumental figure in the links between the IRA and Libya during the troubles.

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Born in Rossmore in 1930, like many people in west Tipperary, his family had an intimate connection with the struggle for Irish freedom.

Paddy Ryan credited his mother with ensuring that he grew up with an understanding of Irish republicanism.

His life however first took him in a direction which was radically different from that which he is most well known for as he entered the priesthood and served as a missionary priest in Tanzania and later in a parish in London.

By the beginning of the troubles in the late 1960s, Fr Ryan was back in Ireland where he began passing money to the IRA whenever he could.

However his role in the republican movement would soon take on a much more significant role.

When the IRA developed links with Libyan Leader Muammar in the 1970s, Fr Ryan became the key go-between in a relationship which became an essential source of weapons and funding for the IRA.

Fr Ryan’s involvement in key developments in the IRA’s campaign did not end there, as he also played a key role in one of the key technical developments in the IRA’s bomb making capacity.

The use of memo timers as detonators in bombs, which was the mechanism used in the Warrenpoint Ambush in 1979 which killed 18 British soldiers and the 1984 Brighton bombing in which the IRA almost assassinated UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

During this time, he travelled Europe and Ireland extensively, often undercover and making use of safe houses.

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The Padre, as those in republican circles knew him, was always grateful for the hospitality received in these difficult times when arrest was a constant danger.

When asked by a BBC interviewer if he had any regrets, Fr Ryan echoed Tipperary republican Dan Breen when he said he only regretted that he wasn’t more effective.

His eventful and influential life was well remembered by those gathered in Rossmore who were reminded of both his love for Ireland and his instinctive empathy with the oppressed the world over, with a coat he was presented by Gaddafi being presented at the altar, a reminder of his essential role in the IRA’s relationship with Libya and the genuine connection between the unlikely pairing of a Muslim leader and a Catholic priest.

He was buried with full republican honours; his tricolour draped coffin was carried by a republican colour party and led by a piper, with an oration was given by fellow ex-IRA volunteer John Crawley with music by Eamonn Fogerty and members of the Rebel Hearts.