A six-foot-high model of the distinctive red AIDS ribbon stood against the altar in the Franciscan church in Merchant's Quay as about 60 people gathered for a brief ceremony to mark World AIDS day yesterday. A black cross, bearing the words "AIDS" and "RIP", lay in front of it, and boxes of red candles were distributed among the congregation.
The ceremony began with the singing of the John Lennon song, Imagine, by one of the workers in the Merchant's Quay Project, Tommy Larkin. Father Brendan Forde then asked those present to think of someone who died of AIDS while they lit their candles.
Father Forde asked for a minute's silence before placing the model of the ribbon on the Liffey. The congregation gathered on the bridge as it was lowered into the water and moved slowly towards the mouth of the Liffey.