THE FUNERAL OF the late Minister of State Shane McEntee took place in Co Meath earlier today, with thousands turning out to pay their respects to him.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny was due to deliver a graveside oration as Junior Minister McEntee (56) was laid to rest, RTÉ reports. The funeral took place in Co Meath and was attended by people including Mr McEntee’s Cabinet colleagues, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.

The father-of-four took his own life at the weekend. He is survived by his wife Kathleen, children Helen, Sally, Aoife and Vincent, and mother Madge McEntee.

A farmer for almost two decades before entering politics, he was first elected to the Dáil in 2005.

The homily at the funeral was given by Fr Michael Sheerin, who described Mr McEntee as “deeply sensitive over a huge range of issues and concerns, perhaps too sensitive and with too many concerns as many now are surely thinking for his own well-being”, the Irish Times reports.

Mr McEntee was the Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture. His body was removed to St John the Baptist Church in Nobber, Co Meath, last night, and the removal was also attended by a large amount of people. He was laid to rest at Nobber cemetery.

After the news of his death was made public, tributes poured in for Mr McEntee, with Taoiseach Enda Kenny saying he was “devastated” at the death of his “loyal friend” and colleague.

Read: McEntee removal takes place in Co Meath>

Read: Shane McEntee to be laid to rest on Christmas Eve>