President McAleese to lead commemoration ceremony

The President, Mary McAleese, will mark Ireland's National Day of Commemoration with a ceremony in Dublin this morning.

The President will be joined by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea at this morning's ceremony at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.

During the ceremony, the President will lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland to commemorate Irish people killed in past wars and while on active duty for Ireland in foreign wars and on UN service.

There will also be a large-scale representation by the defence forces as well as delegates from the judiciary, the Oireachtas and all the major churches.