The funeral mass has taken place in Co Kerry of former Independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae.

The veteran politician passed away on Friday afternoon at the age of 83, following a short illness.

Large crowds attended his funeral mass earlier at St Patrick's Church in Kilgarvan - including former Taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen.

A cap, a hurley and turf were among the items brought to the altar by family members.

He was first elected to the Dáil in 1997 and to Kerry County Council in 1973.

Traditionally a Fianna Fáil man, serving as councillor and election organiser for close to three decades, he chose to break from the party in 1997, when he failed in his bid to get a party nomination to stand for a Dáil seat.

He chose to stand as an Independent, won the seat and held it for the next 14 years.

During that time his vote would prove a weighted bargaining chip for his constituency, securing funding for a range of projects - from roads to schools and agricultural assistance programmes - from governments looking for his backing in the Dáil.

Radio Kerry reporter Aisling O'Brien says his sons Michael and Danny both paid tribute to their Dad.