Anniversary of Easter Rising marked

President Mary McAleese today placed a wreath at the GPO on O’Connell Street as part of a ceremony to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the 1916 rising.

Around 3,000 members of the public turned out to watch the event which involved hundreds of members of the Defence Forces, including representatives from the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and Defence Reserve.

The event was also attended by Taoiseach Enda kenny, Minister for Defence Alan Shatter and Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen.

At noon the national flag was lowered from full mast to half mast and the 1916 Proclamation was read out by Lieutenant Paul O'Brien of the Naval Service.

Leading prayers of remembrance, the Army chaplain Monsignor Eoin Thynne prayed that people would stand against the threat of terrorism and learn from past mistakes.

"We pray for the strength and courage to stand up and speak out with once voice against those who persist with cowardly acts of terrorism and show nothing but contempt for Irish people," he said.

"May we learn from the past and never again let our love of prosperity quench our fortitude, realising that more is not necessarily better."

After President McAleese laid a wreath at the steps of the GPO, pipe and brass bands led a rendition of the national anthem which concluded with a fly past by the Air Corps.

Speaking after the ceremony, the Taoiseach said the Government will seek to consult with various groups as it draws up plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, and other events, over the coming years.

He said the Government will also be mindful of the sensitivities involved and will canvass the views of representatives in Northern Ireland.

"The next decade will include a great number of events that will want to be commemorated and that should be done with respect and sensitivity, given that we're a century on and facing a whole new future."

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was among the invited guests at the commemoration, as well as members of the Cabinet and relatives of the 1916 leaders.