The body of rugby legend Anthony Foley was flown home to Co Clare tonight on board Ryanair’s corporate jet.
The airline’s assistant chief pilot was commander on board the Boeing 737-700 jet which had been offered to the Foley family for the repatriation flight.
The 42-year-old Munster head coach died suddenly in Paris at the weekend when his side was due to play Racing Metro in the opening round of the European Champions Cup.
Around 25 members of the extended Foley family along with former team mates and personal friends Paul O’Connell and Mick Galwey and senior Munster Rugby executives flew out from Shannon at 12.55pm.
The jet had been designated a special callsign for the 85 minute flight to Paris.
Flight FR-1973, denoting Anthony’s birth year, flew to Le Bourget Airport about 16 kilometres north east of Paris.
The callsign for the return flight was equally as significant. FR-8 represented the number 8 jersey the back row wore for his beloved Munster and for Ireland.
Ryanair’s deputy chief pilot was in charge of the repatriation flight which arrived back in Shannon at 6.00pm this evening.
The family’s cars had been parked on the ramp close to the aircraft and left the airport under escort from Airport Police officers.
Garda motorcycle outriders then led the cortege from the airport to Anthony’s home town of Killaloe via Thomond Park where he played so many games and where he’s former club Shannon RFC has its clubhouse.
An airport insider said: “It was really tough watching the Foley family and former players today. I could never understand what the family especially must be going through. They were going to France to bring home their loved one’s body. This is so surreal. No one can believe this is true, that he (Anthony) is gone.”
“We all expected to see him on the telly on Sunday, chewing his gum and watching his team. It never happened and it won’t ever happen again. The entire country is shocked by his loss,” he added.
Confirming that the airline had offered their aircraft to the family a Ryanair spokesman said “We are happy to help the Foley family.”
Anthony’s remains were brought to his family home in Killaloe, Co. Clare and will lie in repose at St. Flannan’s Church, Killaloe from 1pm to 8.30pm today.
People intending on paying their respects to Anthony have been asked to attend early.
Funeral Mass will take place at 12 noon tomorrow (Friday) with Church being reserved for family and friends only. A special area will be set aside to facilitate media outside the Church.
Anthony Foley will be buried afterwards at Relig Lua in Killaloe.
He is survived by his wife Olive, sons Tony and Dan; parents Brendan and Sheila, sisters Rosie and Orla, parents-in-law Eddie and Mary Hogan, sister-in-law Aedeen, brothers-in-law Pat, Darragh and Rossa, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.