HUNDREDS OF people attended a candlelit vigil in Limerick last night in memory of murdered rugby player Shane Geoghegan whose month's mind takes place this weekend.
The 28-year-old was shot dead near his home in the Kilteragh estate in Dooradoyle on November 9th, in a case of mistaken identity.
In an acknowledgement in the Limerick Leadernewspaper to mark the first month's anniversary of his death, the Geoghegan family yesterday thanked everybody for their support.
"As it would be absolutely impossible to thank individually all those who cared for and supported us, please let this acknowledgement assure anyone who held us in their thoughts or prayers, even for a moment, that we will be forever grateful," reads one section of the acknowledgement.
The family were last night presented with books of condolences, which were opened in Limerick City Hall and Limerick County Council headquarters in the aftermath of the murder.
Thousands of people signed the books and left messages of support for Mr Geoghegan's grieving parents Mary and Tom, brother Anthony and girlfriend Jenna Barry, who were all present at last night's vigil in St Joseph's Church.
The interdenominational service was organised by Joe O'Connor from St Joseph's parish, who said he hoped the vigil would be some small support to the Geoghegan family.
In his opening address to the congregation, parish priest Fr Tom Mangan said the murder and its aftermath was a huge blow to the people of Limerick.
Bishop of Limerick Dr Donal Murray, Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe Trevor Williams, along with Rev Tom Kingston representing the United Methodist and Presbyterian Church, attended the vigil with Mayor of Limerick John Gilligan and other public representatives.