Armed gardaí were prominent at the removal in Limerick last night of murdered gangland victim Noel Campion.
The 35-year-old father of two was shot dead on a busy street in the Thomondgate area of the city last Thursday morning, as he was being driven to court on the back of a motorbike.
A convicted criminal and a member of one of Limerick's most notorious criminal families, he was shot at least three times in the back when a gunman waiting near a phone box opened fire.
The killing is connected to an ongoing violent feud, which has claimed eight lives since 2000.
It's widely believed Campion was shot by a member of the McCarthy Dundon criminal gang, based on the city's south side.
Last year, Gary Campion, a younger brother, was charged with the murder of "Fat" Frankie Ryan - a leading member of the McCarthy Dundon gang who was shot dead in Moyross last September.
This murder charge has since been struck out. However, the 21-year-old is still in custody awaiting trial for the murder of Limerick bouncer, Brian Fitzgerald, who was shot dead in November 2002.
Campion's eldest brother William Campion (36) is also behind bars, serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of an elderly Co Clare father in 1998.
Despite the absence of his two brothers and other relatives, also in custody, up to 100 mourners paid their respects at Cross's funeral home.
More than 40 relatives travelled from the UK to attend the removal which attracted a large Garda presence.
Dozens of armed and uniformed gardaí lined the roads outside the funeral home on Gerald Griffin Street, while unmarked Garda cars and members of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) patrolled the cortege route.
Scores more gardaí were on patrol in Moyross where tensions are simmering.
At 6.30pm, Campion's coffin was placed inside the hearse. A large floral wreath which read "Óglaigh na hÉireann" was placed beside the coffin alongside other floral tributes which read "Noely", "Dad" and "Husband". Dozens more wreaths saying, "Friend", "Brother-in-law" and "Bud" were also visible along with the number "96", which represented the year Campion married.
A framed photo of Campion in a Real Madrid soccer jersey was also contained in a horseshoe shaped wreath.
The 35-year-old was well- known for his love of horses and last month - despite only just being released from prison - he paid €4,000 to Limerick City Council which had impounded four of his animals.
In what was his last court appearance he was fined €500 for not having a horse licence.
In 1999, Campion received a 14-year prison sentence for armed robbery. He will be buried today following 11am Mass in Corpus Christi Church in Moyross, the northside estate where he lived.