ABOUT 10,000 people have signed books of condolence for RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan, who will be buried today.
A large crowd is expected to gather for this morning’s funeral Mass in Clontarf, north Dublin, which will also be broadcast on 2fm radio.
Gardaí have warned of traffic diversions in the area and overflow parking has been put in place at nearby sports clubs.
The public continued to sign the books of condolence at the Mansion House and RTÉ yesterday.
More than 5,000 people had signed the book at Dublin’s Mansion House by last evening while more than 4,000 people have signed the book at RTÉ.
The body of the RTÉ presenter was found by his partner Melanie Verwoerd in his apartment on Leeson Street in Dublin last Friday afternoon.
The results of the postmortem have not been made public, but Ryan’s family believe he died of a massive heart attack in the early hours of Friday.
The body of the 53-year-old lay in repose at his family home in Clontarf yesterday where a private wake was held for friends and family.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr Michael Collins at the Church of St John the Baptist on Clontarf Road at 11.30am.
The church is where Ryan was married and where his mother’s funeral was held three years ago. It accommodates only 300 people.
Loudspeakers will be set up in the grounds of the church and crowds are expected along the short route from the Ryan family home on Castle Avenue.
The funeral can be heard on 2fm. This is the first time the radio station has broadcast a Mass.
It will also be shown via webcam on both the parish and RTÉ websites.
The Ryan family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, well-wishers should make a donation to their personal charity of choice.
The burial and house are private.
Burial takes place at Dardistown Cemetery in Cloghran.
