Thomas Griffin from Rathfarnham, who had a history of heart problems, made several panicked phone calls to his son minutes before he had a heart attack on Westland Row. It is understood that the pensioner had been in O'Connell Street where the riots began earlier, before eventually collapsing on Westland Row, near to where rioters burned out several cars, smashed shop windows, and attacked shop workers on Nassau Street.

Gardai are now studying CCTV footage to piece together his last movements.

Griffin's family thanked two women who came to his aid as he collapsed on the street.

A grandfather of 11, Griffin died in St Vincent's Hospital.