People across the midlands turned out in record numbers to attend special religious ceremonies as part of the national day of mourning.
Thousands thronged churches in the midlands' main centres, and there were reports of crowds gathered outside packed churches in towns and villages.
Over 2,500 people attended an ecumenical ceremony in the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar.
The ceremony was particularly poignant as Tuesday's tragedy has touched the life of the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith. Diocesan secretary Father Declan Hurley said a relative was "missing, presumed dead".
Priests from the St Mary's/Coosan parish in Athlone, Co Westmeath, joined members of the town's Franciscan community to celebrate a special Mass in St Anthony's Friary.
In St Mel's Cathedral, Longford, the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Dr Colm O'Reilly, spoke of the need for forgiveness.
