State funeral to be held for former Irish PM John Bruton

A big funeral to be held for former Irish prime minister John Bruton on Saturday.

The 76-year-old Fine Gael politician passed away in the Mater Hospital in Dublin on Tuesday.

Mr Bruton was the leader of Ireland from 1994 to 1997.

He played an important role in helping Northern Ireland make peace. He worked with the Prime Minister of the UK at the time, John Major, to create a plan for peace in 1995.

Mr Bruton’s body was taken to St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church in Dunboyne, County Meath, on Friday.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 on Saturday and then they will bury him in Rooske Cemetery, Dunboyne.

Some important people who were at the event were EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and a few government ministers.

President Michael D Higgins and current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will be at Saturday’s event with other important people.

Mr Varadkar will give a speech at the graveside.

About 180 members of the Defence Forces will be part of the service, and Mr. Bruton will be buried with special military recognition.

Mr Bruton was born in Dublin on 18 May 1947. He was elected to the Irish Parliament to represent Meath in 1969.

As the leader, he led a government made up of three different political parties but lost the 1997 election to another party.

While he was the leader, he guided a vote that allowed divorce to be legal in Ireland.

He was in charge of Fine Gael until 2001, and then he worked as the EU ambassador to the United States.

People from all different political beliefs have shown respect and admiration for the former prime minister.

Sir John Major said he was very sad to hear about Mr. Bruton’s death He said Mr. Bruton was a strong leader for Ireland and worked hard for peace.

Leo Varadkar said that Mr. Bruton was someone who gets things done and thinks deeply. He also made a special effort to connect with the unionist community.

Irish President Michael D Higgins said he was lucky to work with Mr Bruton who he said was a very hardworking leader and a dedicated politician.

Book of condolence

Mr. Bruton’s replacement as leader, Bertie Ahern, who was in charge of Ireland when the Good Friday Agreement happened, said that Mr. Bruton’s interest in Northern Ireland was always real.

Stormont’s top leaders, Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, expressed their sympathies to his family and friends.

A book where people can write their condolences for Mr. Bruton has been opened in Dublin at the Department of the Taoiseach. There is also an online version of the book.

Flags are being lowered halfway down the pole on all government buildings until after the funeral.