Thousands expected to pay final respects to Garret FitzGerald

Thousands are expected to gather at the Mansion House in Dublin today to pay their respects to the former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald.

The doors of the Mansion House had to open an hour earlier than planned this morning to cater for the crowd that had gathered.

The 85-year-old passed away in hospital on Thursday morning after a short illness.

His remains will lie in repose at the Mansion House from 11am until 7pm today.

His body will then be taken to the Sacred Heart Church in Donneybrook this evening at 8pm, where the public will again have an opportunity to pay their respects and offer their condolences to the family until 10pm.

Mr FitzGerald's state funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2.30pm, and he will be buried afterwards at Shanganagh Cemetery.

Books of condolences have opened at various locations throughout the country, including at the Mansion House, at Fine Gael's headquarters on Mount Street in Dublin and at Cork City Hall.