President lays wreath at Easter Rising commemoration

Sun, 20 Apr, 2014 - 12:43

The President has taken part in the Easter Rising commemoration in Dublin, where he was joined by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice.

Thousands of people gathered on Dublin's O' Connell Street, where the President laid a wreath outside Dublin's GPO, honouring those who gave their lives in the Easter Rising.

Michael D Higgins was joined by Enda Kenny and Alan Shatter as they marked 98 years since the uprising.

The view from O'Connell street as the Air Corps fly past pic.twitter.com/QefY4wbWYT
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) April 20, 2014

Among the day's events was a reading of the proclamation of the Irish Republic, followed by a lowering of the Republic's flag to half-mast temporarily.

The Air Corps then performed a fly-over down O'Connell Street, bringing the ceremony to an end.

The Presidential Guard was drawn from the 2nd Brigade, and was on parade outside the GPO in advance of the President's arrival.

"This is a very poignant occasion - the 98th anniversary of the 1916 rising," said Captain Donal Gallagher.

"The Defence Forces are very proud to be involved with this - we have elements from the Army, Reserve Defence Forces, Naval Service and Air Corps."