Howard Marks Memorial Service Outside Leinster House

On a balmy Wednesday afternoon, a small group of supporters, pro-marijuana activists from NORML and Howard Marks' longtime Irish tour manager, Paddy Paradise, banded together to pay homage to the man who has done so much for drug reform policies – and who died recently after a battle with cancer.

"It's a decent and honourable thing to do, to honour someone that would very much be an advocate for the legalisation of cannabis," Paddy told Hot Press.

The memorial service took place outside Leinster House at 4:20pm on Wednesday, April 20, to coincide with the 420 'Weed Day' celebrations.

"The great man Howard Marks has just passed on and I knew the real man, as opposed to the whole drug smuggler mystique," Paddy explained. "We want to pay respect to him and also acknowledge 420 as a universal organisation that believes in the legalisation of cannabis for all the right reasons, be that for medical or recreational purposes."

With a copy of Mr. Nice held high in Paddy's hands, and three members of An Garda Síochána keeping an eagle-eye on the proceedings, Paddy began the 21 spliff salute by chanting the word 'bong', 70 times, one 'bong' for each of Howard's years on earth.

The peaceful service ended after a few minutes of rapturous applause from all of the participants and viewers. RIP Howard Marks.

View the Howard Marks memorial service gallery here.