Ahern first to comfort grieving family of senator

[Ahern first to comfort grieving family of senator]


Mourners at the removal for Senator Tony Kett last night included former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern with his daughters Cecelia and Georgina and their partners David Keoghan and Nicky Byrne


Wednesday April 22 2009

FORMER Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was joined last night by his two daughters, ex-wife and former partner as he mourned his late friend Senator Tony Kett.

Mr Ahern was in tears as he was the first to comfort the Kett family on their loss at the Church of the Nativity in Beaumont, Dublin.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was also in attendance, along with a host of ministers, TDs, senators and councillors.

The Tricolour flew at half-mast at Leinster House in a mark of respect to the Fianna Fail senator who died at the age of 57 after a long illness.

Hundreds of friends and constituents attended to extend their sympathies to Mr Kett's wife Noreen, son Jason, daughters Joanne and Jennifer, daughter-in-law Zoe and granddaughter Isabelle.

Mr Ahern was accompanied by his daughters Cecelia and Georgina and their respective partners David Keoghan and Nicky Byrne of Westlife. His former wife Miriam Ahern was also in attendance, along with his ex-partner Celia Larkin.

Senior ministers who were in attendance included Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin and Justice Minister Dermot Ahern.

The funeral of Mr Kett takes place today in Beaumont at 11.30am, after which he will be buried in Fingal Cemetery.

A member of Fianna Fail for almost 40 years, Mr Kett was a close friend and adviser to Mr Ahern, who said he was deeply saddened by his death. The senator helped with all of Mr Ahern's election campaigns and was co-opted onto Dublin City Council in 1988 after Mr Ahern's appointment as Labour Minister, getting re-elected in 1991 and 1999.

In recent days, the Taoiseach has hailed Mr Kett as an " experienced, valued and extremely popular member of Fianna Fail".