Crowds gather to pay respects to Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh

Crowds have begun to gather in Daingean Uí Chúis in Co Kerry to pay their respects to the family of the former RTÉ broadcaster and sports commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh's body has been lying in repose at O'Connor's Funeral Home in Daingean Uí Chúis from 11am this morning and members of the public have been invited to sympathise with his family until 8pm.

Taoiseach Simon Harris is due to arrive in Daingean Uí Chúis later this afternoon.

The former GAA President, Larry McCarthy, former Kerry football manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice, out-going Kildare football manager Glenn Ryan, the RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst and broadcaster Marty Morrissey were among the crowds who sympathised with Mr Ó Muircheartaigh's family today.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh's remains arrived in Daingean Uí Chúis last night.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh's wife, Helena, and his family accompanied the hearse carrying his body on the journey from his home at Kilcock in Co Meath yesterday, arriving in Daingean Uí Chúis last evening.

Many people carrying signs and Kerry flags turned up along the route.

The hearse paused briefly after it crossed the border into Kerry.

Crowds lined Blennerville Bridge outside Tralee, the gateway to the Corca Dhuibhne gaeltacht, as well as in the villages of Abhainn an Scáil and Lios Póil on the way to Daingean Uí Chúis.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh died on Tuesday at the Mater Hospital in Dublin. He was 93.

His funeral mass will take place at the church of Naomh Muire in Daingean Uí Chúis tomorrow.

He will be buried afterwards at Baile an Mhuilleann just outside the town.

There will be coverage of Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh's funeral mass on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta from 11am tomorrow.