Spanish Civil War veteran dies, aged 88

Spanish Civil War veteran Michael O'Riordan has died in Dublin at the age of 88.

Mr O'Riordan was shot and injured while fighting against General Franco's fascist forces in Spain as part of a group of international volunteers in the 1930s.

He joined the fight in 1936 with the XVth International Brigade and was interned in Ireland for four years following his return in 1939.

O'Riordan, an active trade unionist, was chairman of the Irish Communist Party up until his death this morning.