The priest officiating at yesterday's funeral of Mr Eddie Ryan, killed by two hooded men in a Limerick city bar last Sunday, called for facilities for the youth of the marginalised community of Killeely.
About 500 people attended the funeral Mass in St Lelia's Church at midday. A large wreath was decorated with the colours of Eddie Ryan's favourite football club, Arsenal, and a plastic horse symbolised his love of horses and sulky racing.
Father Pat McGrath, the curate at St Lelia's, said Mr Ryan's family had loved him - and throughout its history the church had taught that the person was differentiated from his behaviour.
"I want to say clearly to the journalists of Ireland and the news media, we distinguish between person and behaviour. We love the person and we condemn the behaviour," he said to applause.
He said local children were missing out on their education because of the ASTI action. It was "a total disgrace" that the State's leaders could not sit down and talk "to give our children a good opportunity in education."
"They are roaming around the streets in Killeely this morning and they tell me there is nowhere to go and nothing to do."
The body was brought by a horse-drawn hearse to Mount St Oliver Cemetery, followed by a horse that had belonged to Mr Ryan. The chief mourners were Mr Ryan's wife, Mary, and their three children.
The murder investigation is continuing. Gardai confirmed that a red Vauxhall Cavalier car found burnt out in the Corbally area on Monday was the getaway car.
Insp John Murphy of Henry Street Garda station said a report of shots fired last Friday afternoon in the Killeely area was being investigated "in tandem" with Sunday night's shooting.