The former South African President Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95.
He passed away peacefully at his home in Johannesburg at around ten to nine local time, surrounded by family.
The anti Apartheid leader's health has been suffering in recent months - after he contracted a lung infection in June.
In an address to the world's media this evening, the South African President, Jacob Zuma broke the news.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has issued a statement tonight - saying that, with Mandela's passing, 'a great light has been extinguished'."
Mandela's struggle had a special resonance in Ireland.
