Thousands honour independence war heroes

Thousands of people lined the streets of Dublin to honour 10 men executed more than 80 years ago.

They were hanged for their part in Ireland's war of independence against British rule.

The men are being reburied with full state honours after lying in the grounds of Dublin's Mountjoy jail since the 1920s.

The group includes Kevin Barry, one of the most celebrated figures in the fight for independence.

President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern led the mourners at day-long ceremonies.

They day began with the 10 men's coffins being taken from the prison through the centre of Dublin en route to Glasnevin cemetery.

Kevin Barry was an 18-year-old medical student, one of the youngest men - and the first - to be executed for taking part in the rebellion.

He was executed on November 1, 1920; the other nine - Thomas Whelan, Patrick Moran, Patrick Doyle, Bernard Ryan, Frank Flood, Thomas Bryan, Thomas Traynor, Edmond Foley and Patrick Maher - the following year.

They were all sentenced to die by military courts martial after being found guilty of murder and or high treason and, until their exhumation, six lay together in one of the prison graves.

All are being re-interred in Glasnevin, with the exception of Patrick Maher, whose family requested a separate burial in his native Co Limerick.