St Cuan's Church, in the Co Galway village of Ahascragh, was packed yesterday as locals bade farewell to the amusement arcade murder victim, John Kennedy. Residents formed a guard of honour as his coffin was carried from the church to the cemetery nearby. Dozens of floral wreaths were carried to the graveside, where he was laid to rest with his father, Thomas.
His mother, Kathleen, was comforted and physically supported throughout by her five daughters and two sons.
Earlier the Mass congregation heard the parish priest, Father Frank Glennon, speak about the three main concerns in John Kennedy's life, his mother, his religion and his work.
Describing him as "a loving and devoted son", Father Glennon recalled John Kennedy's work as a minister of the Eucharist in the parish and the many days he spent as a helper at Knock shrine. He said John Kennedy had helped out "quietly and with no big deal" in so many important and wonderful ways.
The last time he had seen him was to arrange for the offering of his late father's anniversary Mass and for John Kennedy to pick up envelopes for a collection being taken locally in aid of North Korean famine relief.
"We as a community are very diminished by his death," added Father Glennon.
The attendance at the Mass included Bishop John Kirby and the Church of Ireland Bishop, Dr Edward Darling.
On the previous evening, several thousand people attended the removal of his remains from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, delaying the brief church ceremony for three hours.
Meanwhile, gardai investigating the murder in Ballinasloe have extended their search for a murder weapon to various parts of the town. The Garda sub-aqua team was yesterday searching the Suck river, which runs through the town.
It is now believed that more than one person may have been involved, as up to £1,500 in coins was taken from the amusement arcade where Mr Kennedy's body was found early last Tuesday morning.
The money, mostly in 10p coins, was stacked in bags each containing £100 and would be extremely difficult for one person to carry.
House-to-house inquiries are continuing throughout the town and should be completed today.