Charlie Bird's dog produced poignant moment at funeral as crowd gasped

The country said goodbye to Charlie Bird this week as the veteran former RTE journalist died after a battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

Charlie's funeral service took place as friends, family and fans of his paid their respects at the Mansion House in Dublin. 

One guest in attendance was Charlie's beloved dog Tiger who he was rarely seen without during his illness, including one of his final appearances on the RTE Late Late Show. 

Charlie's wife Claire spoke about her husband during the Mansion House service but was visibly choked up as she began to tell those congregated how difficult it was saying goodbye to the love of her life. 

As she spoke emotionally and pictures of Charlie were shown on a big screen, the congregation was stopped in its tracks by the anguished whimpering and howling of Tiger, seemingly reacting to the sombre scene. 

Claire went to get Tiger and he jumped into her arms as she found the strength to speak glowingly about her late husband and his near three-year battle with MND. The moment stood out to those in attendance as very poignant, almost like a show of support to Claire from Tiger, and in a way Charlie too. 

The crowd applauded the moment and the words shared by Claire afterwards.

Charlie Bird was remembered this week as an icon of Irish journalism but also for his unwavering altruism in his final years, including his advocating for better healthcare for the sick in Ireland and his many fundraising efforts, including the Climb With Charlie campaign which saw crowds join him at the top of Croagh Patrick. He raised millions as a result. 

Charlie was a hero to many in his final years, months and days, and as his death notice shared, Tiger was his "little wingman" during all that time, and beyond, as this week proved. 

Rest in peace, Charlie Bird.