Anthony Foley's remains returned home tonight, following his untimely passing in Paris at the weekend. He was just 42. A private jet carrying his remains arrived into Shanon airport earlier this evening, and a hearse carried him to his home in Killaloe.
Hundreds lined the streets outside Thomond Park as the hearse carrying Foley passed the ground. Those present broke into a rendition of There is an Isle, Shannon RFC's song. It is deeply moving.
RTE's Damien O'Meara confirmed that RTE will show the 2006 Heineken Cup final on Saturday evening, in memory of Foley.
In tribute to #AnthonyFoley the '06 Heineken Cup Final between @Munsterrugby & @BOPBweb will be shown on @RTE2, Sat from 18:25 #rterugby
— Damien O'Meara (@damien_omeara) October 19, 2016
Call sign for the Ryanair Private Jet that brought Anthony Foley home this evening was FR008. A lovely tribute. #RIPAxel
— Micheál Ó Conchúir (@mickeycireland) October 19, 2016
A large crowd gathering around Thomond Park to welcome #AnthonyFoley home pic.twitter.com/o5NItvGacU
— Alan Morrissey (@AlanMorrissey) October 19, 2016
Foley's funeral arrangements were confirmed earlier today.
He will lie in repose in St. Flannan's Church from 1.30pm to 8.00pm on Thursday. Those wishing to pay their respects are encouraged to attend early on the day. The house afterwards will be private.
The Funeral Mass will take place on Friday at 12 noon. The church will be reserved for family and friends. Burial afterwards at Relig Nua Cemetery in Killaloe. Family flowers only.
In the last few minutes, the French coroner's report into Foley's death has been released. He died of acute pulmonary edema caused by heart disease, according to the report.
"Cardiac arrhythmia caused an acute edema of the lungs," was the conclusion of the prosecutor of Nanterre, the office charged with investigating his death.
It was 12.40pm on Sunday before Anthony Foley's body was found. The Munster players had assumed that he was having a lie-in but grew concerned when he hadn't appeared by late morning. According to Lara Marlowe in the Irish Times, his body was found by a member of the hotel staff and a Munster player.
Earlier today, Rassie Erasmus and Peter O'Mahony paid tribute to Foley at a press conference, while confirming that Saturday's European game with Glasgow will go ahead as scheduled. Kick-off at Thomond Park will be at 1pm.
