Huge sadness as beloved dog that regularly visited University of Limerick campus passes away

A beloved dog that was a regular visitor to the University of Limerick campus has sadly passed away.

It was confirmed today that the mutt, named "Sheeba" but most well-known to students as simply "UL's Black Dog", had recently died.

University of Limerick wrote on their Facebook page: "Yesterday on #InternationalDogDay we learned the sad news that regular visitor to the campus 'Sheeba', who was often referred to as UL's Black Dog, passed away recently.

Sheeba pictured at UL. (Facebook)

"If I had the power to grant posthumous Honorary Doctorates to dogs I would give Sheeba one without question."

And there was an outpouring of tributes for the hugely popular dog from students, staff and alumni after the news was confirmed.

One wrote: "my best friend just passed away", while another said that their day had been "ruined" by the news.

Several commenters also suggested that Sheeba could be remembered in some way in UL's corridors for the huge contribution they made to life on the campus, or even that they could be bestowed with an honorary title.