Large attendance at Raftery funeral

IRELAND
The Irish Times

PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent

A large attendance at journalist and broadcaster Mary Raftery’s funeral this morning included many abuse victims as well as representatives from the worlds of politics, media and the arts.

A humanist ceremony, it took place at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin and was conducted by Brian Whiteside. “Mary”, he said, “very much identified with the humanist world view, based on a concern for humanity in general and the individual in particular.”

The ceremony was prepared by Mary Raftery herself before her death last Tuesday. …

Abuse victims present included John Kelly of Soca Ireland, Carmel McDonnell-Byrne of the Aislinn Centre, Michael O’Brien of the Right to Peace group, Colm O’Gorman, founder of the One in Four Group, Mannix Flynn, Paddy Doyle, Marie Collins, musician Don Baker, Andrew Madden, and Darren McGavin whose evidence led to former priest Tony Walsh being jailed for 16 years in December 2010.

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