Adventurer Ian McKeever's body due home after 'final journey'

The body of mountaineer Ian McKeever will arrive back in Ireland this morning at about 11am.

The 42-year-old mountaineer died after he was

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His removal will take place at 7pm this evening in Roundwood, Co Wicklow before his funeral Mass tomorrow.

One of Ian's friends, Eugene Grey, said the reality of his friend's death is only hitting home now.

"It's been a very long, difficult week, in particular for the family," he said.

"It's probably in the last 48 hours that the reality of the tragedy has set in, with the final funeral arrangements and with the family travelling out to Zurich to meet his body for Ian's final journey back to Ireland, back to his home and back to themselves."

Ian's fiancee Anna was with him during the ill-fated climb.

A lecturer and broadcaster from Lough Dan in Co Wicklow, Mr McKeever regularly mentored hikers, including many Irish schoolchildren, through his Kilimanjaro Achievers organisation.