Mgr Ciaran O’Carroll, rector of the Irish College in Rome and a first cousin of the esteemed broadcaster, admitted to mourners in St Brigid’s Church, Kill, Co Kildare that the news of her death “came as a dreadful shock”.

Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin opens door of Mercy in Kildare on the eve of St Brigid’s day.