Noble statesman laid to rest in his beloved home town of Clonmel

President Michael D Higgins was among the mourners attending  the funeral in Clonmel today of former Ceann  Comhairle  of Dail Eireann Sean Treacy.

Described as a "distinguished parliamentarian" by President Higgins Sean Treacy started his working life in the shoe factory in Clonmel and went on to represent the people of Clonmel and his  country all over the world as a TD,Ceann Comhairle, a member of the Council of State and as an MEP with great pride.

A former Mayor of his beloved Clonmel , among his most cherished honours was being made the 21st person to  be  made a Freeman of the Borough of Clonmel  in 2004.

At the con celebrated requiem mass in Clonmel on Monday morning chief celebrant  Fr.Billy Meehan, PP St.Mary's described Sean Treacy as a statesman  who always placed himself at the service of the weak and the poor.He said the community of Clonmel,Tipperary and Ireland had suffered the loss of a great leader, a man who had  an outstanding sense of fairness.

"He was a man of the people, the people of Clonmel" said Fr.Meehan

The requiem mass was also attended by  Cpt Caroline Burke, representing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the five sitting Tipperary TD's, former Tipperary TD's and Ministers,past and present members and Mayors of Clonmel Corporation and the Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin.