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THE FAMILY OF the late Anthony Foley has urged mourners to turn out early to say goodbye to the Munster icon tomorrow.
In a statement released this afternoon, organisers of Foley’s funeral said the public will have to arrive early due to the volume of people expected to attend.
The family said they didn’t anticipate the huge number of people who arrived in Killaloe, Clare, today.
Thousands lined the streets of today as they waited in line to view Foley’s coffin.
Rugby stars such as Keith Wood, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell were also present to pay their respects.
A statement from the family read this afternoon: “The crowds attending today are as vast as we could have anticipated and we are urging people to not to leave it late to travel to Killaloe this evening to pay their respects.
Anthony’s remains will be brought from St Flannan’s Church at 8:30pm for his family to spend the final, precious night with him.
“This will be at his family home which is private and only family members present. With people queuing for two hours and more this afternoon, we would urge sympathisers not to leave it late this evening to get to Killaloe.”
Plans
His funeral mass will be held tomorrow at midday at St Flannan’s Church with burial afterwards in Relig Lua.
Traffic plans have also been put into place to facilitate the thousands expected to arrive on Friday.
A Garda Síochána traffic plan is place throughout the afternoon, evening and into tomorrow. Stewards are also in place on approach routes to direct members of the public to park-and-ride and other parking facilities.
The spokesperson added:“Traffic approaching on the Tipperary side of the bridge for the funeral must park in designated car parks on that side of the bridge also. Killaloe remains open to local traffic but only for necessary journeys.”
“Two queues are formed at the church, one for people wishing to pay their respects to Anthony but a second, fast-tracked queue, for those who wish to meet Anthony’s family and haven’t done so already.”
Foley, 42, passed away in his hotel room in Paris last Sunday.
He is survived by his wife Olive and his two sons Tony and Daniel.
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I really hope people respect ‘family private’ means what it says. This family have shared enough their time left with him. Hope they have the good sense to have someone at the door to refuse people just in case. Have seen it disrespected at much lesser known people’s funerals.
Paid my respects to Anthony and his family today. Shocking to see Anthony someone who was always so full of life and happiness lying so still in a casket.
The Journal in referring to Anthony Foley, as “Foley” seems rather disrespectful and bad mannered. I just don’t get how any journalist worth their salt could be so thoughtless
@Jane Waters: I’d guess because his friends called him Foley…..
The Journal aren’t friends of his. No right to call him Foley. He was Anthony. His friends called him Anthony.
@Sinead Hanley: His close friends called him Foley.
Ok Blake. Whatever you say.
With an ad for rugby jerseys inserted. Classy
Doug howlett = Andy Farrell there garreth
@Rachel Didleu: red thumbing has little or no affect on the cosmic law of the transmigration of the soul …..so relax red thumbers relax
@Rachel Didleu:Why don’t you transmigrate yourself as far away as your cosmic law allows,you complete as*h*le.
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