Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led the tributes to David Hill, who died suddenly while playing a parliamentary rugby game in Donnybrook on Saturday.
Political and sporting figures in Scotland and Ireland expressed their condolences to the family and friends of “one of the nicest men.”
Hill, who was the head of office for Conservative MSP Jamie Greene, died suddenly during the annual meeting between the Dáil and Seanad side and a Scottish Assembly XV.
The 30-year-old, who was described as being ‘rugby mad,’ had travelled to Dublin for the annual game ahead of the men’s Six Nations tie between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.
A touching minute’s applause was held for a universally-liked man ahead of the under-20s Six Nations tie between the two nations on Sunday evening.
“This is so terribly sad,” the Scottish National Party leader tweeted on Saturday.
“My deepest condolences to David’s family, friends and colleagues - and of course to his Holyrood Rugby teammates who I know are all deeply shocked and heartbroken.”
Greene described Hill as a “friend, colleague and confidant for so many in the Scottish Parliament over the years,” in a statement.
“The whole parliament, my party and the whole rugby community is deeply saddened by this awful news today, and our condolences lie entirely with his family, friends and colleagues.”
Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond said: “Utterly heart broken, one of the nicest men lost in the most tragic of circumstances. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.”
Scottish Rugby expressed their deepest condolences with David’s friends and family following the shocking news.
“We are shocked and saddened by David’s passing today,” said the Scotland RFU in a statement.
“Described as ‘rugby daft’ by his family, David played for Dumfries Saints and was a regular at Scotland internationals.
“The condolences of everyone at Scottish Rugby go out to his family and friends at this time.”
David’s father, Rodger Hill, said “the pain is unbearable” as he expressed his shock and despair in a Twitter post.
“I can’t believe I’m writing this. My amazing son David passed away today playing rugby in Dublin for the Scottish Parliament. He was the best and the pain is unbearable. We are broken.”
Scottish Tory leader Gregory Ross said: “We will all miss him dearly. All our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
