Crowds estimated at well over 2,000 lined the roadways of a tiny Connemara village last night for the removal of the remains of Private Peadar Ó Flatharta to the church in his native Tiranfia, Lettermore.
The road leading from the Ó Flatharta home to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Tiranfia was lined with mourners who had started to gather at least two hours before the removal of the remains.
Private Ó Flatharta (21), from nearby Trabane, was killed in a shooting accident while on UN peace-keeping duty in East Timor last week.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Smyth, represented the Government.
The Irish Defence Forces were represented by Maj Gen Sean Brennan, deputy chief of staff; the General Officer Commanding of the Western Brigade, Brig Gen Fred Swords; and Private Ó Flatharta's commanding officer, Lieut Col Patrick Moran, First Infantry Battalion.
The Garda Síochána was represented by Supt Tony Finnerty.
Hundreds of Private Ó Flatharta's comrades formed a guard of honour outside the church as the flag-draped coffin arrived by hearse from the family home about two miles away.
On arrival at the church, the remains were received by Rev Eamonn Ó Conghaile, who recited prayers in Irish.
Speaking before the arrival of the remains, Father Ó Conghaile said the whole community was shocked and saddened at the soldier's tragic death.
"This is such a shock for the whole area. I knew the family from coming to Mass here and this is the church where all their children were baptised," he said.
After the remains were placed in front of the altar, Father Ó Conghaile and several other priests celebrated a Mass in Irish.
The chief mourners were Private Ó Flatharta's parents, Maureen and Joe; his sisters, Maire and Anne; his brothers, Padraic and Tomas; and his girlfriend, Ms Julie Anne Flaherty.
Private Ó Flatharta will be buried with full military honours in Trabane cemetery today after Mass at noon.
The President, Mrs McAleese, will be among the mourners.