Irish president calls queen 'remarkable friend of Ireland'

President Michael D. Higgins called Queen Elizabeth II "a remarkable friend of Ireland" who had "great impact on the bonds of mutual understanding between our two peoples", following her death on Thursday.

"As we offer our condolences to all our neighbours in the United Kingdom, following the loss of a remarkable friend of Ireland, we remember the role Queen Elizabeth played in celebrating the warm and enduring friendship" between both countries, he said in a statement.