Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin will today attend the funeral of Thomas Kent in Cork to pay respects to and honour the sacrifice of what he described as a true Irish patriot.

Deputy Martin said: “The men and women of 1916 are heroes which any nation would be proud of.  Thomas Kent died with the dream of a free, self-governing Ireland.  I will be honoured to be in Castlelyons today to pay respects to Thomas Kent.

“Every member of Fianna Fáil is proud of the heritage of the 1916 leaders.  We are a party founded by men and women who fought in 1916 for the freedom of our country.  Thomas Kent was one of the 16 men executed in the aftermath of the Rising and one of only two executed outside Dublin.

“The State is rightly paying tribute to Kent and paying respect to him with full military honours today.  His family can truly be proud of his place in Irish history.”