CONDOLENCE:FINE GAEL headquarters used modern social networking techniques to allow members of the public to pay their respects to former taoiseach Dr Garret FitzGerald.
A traditional book of condolence was opened yesterday morning in the party’s office on Upper Mount Street in Dublin 2.
Those who could not get to headquarters to sign the book were invited to tweet the party or leave a message on the official Fine Gael Facebook page, following a suggestion from one of the party’s Facebook followers. The messages were then transcribed into the condolence book. Many messages arrived from Irish people living in Australia, the United States and Britain.
“Sincere thanks to everyone who has sent messages for the book of condolence. It is clear that Garret was loved and respected by so many people, all over the world,” the Facebook page said last night.
Among those who signed the condolence book in the traditional manner yesterday were Fine Gael TDs Alan Farrell and Peter Matthews.
Both RTÉ and TV3 will carry live coverage of Dr FitzGerald’s State funeral. From 2pm tomorrow, RTÉ 1 television’s Bryan Dobson will host a live broadcast of the funeral Mass, which will take place at the Sacred Heart Church in Donnybrook, Dublin. TV3 will broadcast a programme hosted by Vincent Browne.
The Mass will be celebrated by Fr Enda McDonagh and be attended by President Mary McAleese, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, among other dignitaries. At about 3.45pm, the funeral cortege will proceed to Shanganagh Cemetery in Shankill, Co Dublin, where Dr FitzGerald will be laid to rest alongside his late wife Joan. RTÉ Radio 1 will also carry a series of programmes dedicated to the memory of Dr FitzGerald. Beginning at 8.30am tomorrow, John Bowman will look back at the life of the former taoiseach. RTÉ Radio 1 will also broadcast live coverage of the funeral service from 2.15pm.