TÁNAISTE Simon Harris and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon were among the mourners at the funeral Mass for Sean Barrett on Friday.

From Dalkey in Co Dublin, the former minister and Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil was a strong supporter of racing and bloodstock. A racehorse owner and small breeder, he served as a director of Leopardstown Racecourse and his insurance company provided bespoke cover for ITBA members. Barrett’s son John took over management of the business in recent years and in 2024 it was acquired by the NFP group.

Brian Kavanagh, Curragh CEO and former chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Sean was a great guy and a pleasure to meet at the races. Before he became Ceann Comhairle, he was a great man to host you in Leinster House and advise you on who to speak to in the Oireachtas.

“I found him exceptionally generous in his advice on how to go about things within the parliamentary system. He was full of common sense and clearly had a passion for racing.”

He is survived by his wife Sheila and their children Sarah, Jaci, Lynda, John and Rob, and 17 grandchildren.