Scores of Irish Michael Jackson fans gathered in Dublin earlier today to celebrate the singer's life at the premiere of the movie This is It.

Jacko's dedicated fans were out in full force as they travelled from around the country to be among the first worldwide to view the unique film documenting his last days.

Emotions ran high as fans arrived for the early morning screening to pay tribute to their hero. Some had arrived as early as 2:45am for the 4am showing of the film and several donned some of his trademark looks including sequinned blazers, black trilby hat and the infamous black glove.

Irish fans proved they were not afraid to show their admiration for the King of Pop and some even whipped out his famous Moonwalk and Thriller moves when the film ended.

However, the movie's emotional content took its toll on some viewers.

Crying

Debbie O'Sullivan from Tyrellstown took a breather during the film as she began crying during the screening.

"It's very emotional. I've been such a huge fan of his since I was a baby.

"It's like losing someone you know. You see him in there and think he shouldn't be gone.

"The world was robbed," she said.

Most attendees had tickets to his performances in London during the summer, and were eager to see what their idol had in store for them.

Lorraine Meaney (27) from Finglas grew up loving the King of Pop and admitted it was "bittersweet" seeing him again on the big screen.

With just two hours sleep, she mustered up the energy to come and watch her hero in his last days.

"The precision and accuracy of his performance was amazing to watch. He was such a perfectionist, and he showed such attention to detail.

"He kept saying he wanted it perfect for his fans and that just felt lovely.

"To have tickets for this show that he wanted to be perfect, it was as if he wanted it perfect for me, as cheesy as that sounds," she said.

Happy

As a self-confessed "diehard" fan, she explained how happy she thought the film would make him.

She said: "I was devastated when I heard about his death, but I don't think he would hold a grudge about anything that happened after.

"We will never see anyone like him again, he was absolutely one of a kind."

Other fans commented on how physically fit he appeared and suggested that the film will raise a lot of questions surrounding his death.

Ayrene Katz (22) and Martina Akin (22) from Blanchardstown spoke of how surreal it was to see him on the big screen.

Martina said: "It's quite emotional, it's such a weird feeling seeing him. I can't believe he's gone.

"He seemed quite physically fit though. It didn't look as if there was anything wrong with him that he would need to be pumped full of drugs."

As the credits rolled, there were cheers, applause and tears in the audience.

- Caitlin McBride