Services held for Mandela in Dublin

There were plenty of free seats at the Praise Tabernacle Church in Dublin, but the place was packed.

The congregation remained on their feet for several hours to sing and dance in celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela.

The church, in an old warehouse at the site of the former fish market and opposite the Victorian fruit and vegetable market in Dublin’s north inner city, would be hard to find, but for the exuberant sounds which carried all the way down to the River Liffey.

"Today is a day for celebration, not for mourning. We are here to celebrate, to vent out through prayer and song and in unity to remember the great man who dedicated his life to the struggle of the African people," pastor Gerard Chimbganda said.

'He suffered for us'
"He lived as the Bible tells us to, he suffered for justice and for equality for others. He suffered for us as Jesus did."

The service was organised by the Irish branch of the African National Congress. It was attended by delegates from the South African embassy.

Several books of condolence were opened around the country over the weekend.

Another will be available today from 10.30am in Clonakilty, Co Cork, in the Old Mill council offices’ library.