Tributes to former Irish minister

HUNDREDS of mourners queued to pay their respects to former Irish finance minister Brian Lenihan yesterday.

Several books of condolences were opened in the late politician's constituency office in Castleknock, west Dublin. Inside, a photograph of Lenihan addressing crowds at the annual commemoration of the death of Michael Collins at Beal na mBlath in west Cork last year hung on the wall above the books.

He was the first Fianna Fail minister to deliver a speech at what has been traditionally a Fine Gael event. Lenihan believed the honour was the pinnacle of his career, according to one friend.

His body will lie at Jennings Funeral Home in Blanchardstown, Dublin, from 10am tomorrow before being taken to St Mochta's Church in Porterstown, arriving at 6pm. A private burial will follow a funeral Mass at 11am on Tuesday.

Lenihan died at his home in west Dublin in the early hours of Friday. He was 52.

He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment while finance minister in 2009 and 2010.

Political colleagues and opponents praised his intellect, strength and commitment to steering the economy through the deepest economic crisis in Irish history in the face of such personal trauma.