MacSharry recalls trojan work of gifted public servant

At the funeral Mass of Margaret Hayes in Urlingford today former EU Commissioner and Irish Government Minister Ray MacSharry spoke in glowing terms of the trojan work Margaret Hayes had done as an Irish Public Servant.

In his eulogy after the Mass he drew laughter from the crowded church when he recalled how when he was Commissioner and negotiations in agriculture were stalling because of Irish objections, Margaret Hayes turned to him and said: "We can't forget the lads at home."

Ms Hayes, who was a retired Secretary General, died in Dublin on Wednesday and was buried in Johnstown today after Requiem Mass in Urlingford.