Nick Clegg's Visit To Ireland Cancelled Following Death of Irish PM Enda Kenny's Mother, Eithne Kenny

DPM's Ireland Visit Off Following Irish PM's Bereavement

The first official visit to Ireland by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has been cancelled following the death of the Irish prime minister's mother.

The British-Irish Council Summit has also been postponed as a mark of respect to Eithne Kenny, Enda Kenny's mother

The 93-year-old, who died in hospital on Saturday surrounded by her family, will be buried on Monday morning in Castlebar, Co Mayo.

Mrs Kenny, who is survived by the Irish PM and his siblings John, Henry, Kieran and Marie Hastings, was actively involved in the political life of the county for more than 60 years.

Political party leaders, members of the Irish Government, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Paterson and Julian King, the British Ambassador to Ireland, will be among those attending her funeral.

The British Embassy confirmed that Mr Clegg had cancelled his entire visit, which was to include a courtesy call to Government Buildings and Ireland's new President Michael D. Higgins, and talks with his counterpart, Eamon Gilmore.

The main purpose of his visit was to attend the British-Irish Council, which was established under the Good Friday Agreement to promote relationships between the eight member administrations across Ireland and the UK.

He was also expected at the Conway Institute at University College Dublin and to attend a reception for business leaders.

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