Mr Mullins died earlier this week at the age of 57 following a sudden illness. He was the executive chairman of clean energy company Amarenco and previously served as the chief executive of Bord Gáis from 2007 to 2012. A member of Fine Gael, he contested the European elections for the party last year in the Ireland South constituency. He had a significant involvement with Bishopstown GAA and Castlemartyr GAA, and was a former director of Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Among the mourners at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Dennehy’s Cross in Co Cork were Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Dan Boyle, and a number of other public representatives. During a tribute to Mr Mullins at the beginning of the mass, his daughter Sarah joked that his biggest regret in life was that she and her brother Micheál grew up to have “posh south Dublin accents”. Tokens brought to the altar as symbols of Mr Mullins’ life were carried by his nieces and nephews. They included a Castlemartyr GAA jersey sponsored by Amarenco, a well-worn golf glove, an Irish rugby scarf and his “personal assistant and most trusted advisor” – his iPhone. Also brought to the altar was a large bottle of red wine gifted to him by Amarenco, nicknamed “Big John”, as a symbol of his social life. Finally, a pair of photographs were brought to the altar, one a family photo and the other a picture of John with horse trainer Willie Mullins, taken in Co Carlow just a week before his death. In a tribute to his father, Mr Mullins’ son Micheál said he was their “biggest inspiration” and he was “truly proud” to have had him as a father. He recalled his father being awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, for his contributions to the country’s solar energy industry. Chief celebrant Fr Donal Cotter said Mr Mullins used his voice and influence to be “an advocate” for others through his involvement with a number of charities and cultural groups. Fr Cotter spoke about Mr Mullins’ work as the founding chairperson of Anam Cara, a charity providing support for bereaved parents. “Sometimes we have people who say words, sometimes we do actions. We celebrate someone today who managed to knit those together,” he said. "Anam Cara is a most powerful word, ‘a friend of the soul’. That doesn’t even fully describe its depth of feeling that there is to it.” At the conclusion of the service, a poem about the shortness of life, The Dash by Linda Ellis, was read in tribute to how Mr Mullins lived his life. The funeral mass for Mr Mullins was followed by a cremation at the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy in Co Cork. He is survived by his wife Siobhan, his children Micheál and Sarah, his parents Pat and Maureen, the rest of his family and a wide circle of friends and colleagues.