The bodies of two Air Corps pilots killed in a crash in Co Galway on Monday were honoured at Casement Aerodrome in Co Dublin tonight
The remains of chief flight instructor Capt Derek Furniss (32) and Cadet David Jevens (22) arrived at the Gerrison Church in Baldonnel, Co Dublin, this evening at 9.15 pm.
The service was attended by the Furniss and Jevens families.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister for Defence Mr Willie O’Dea met with the families before this evening's service.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dermot Earley and General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, Brigadier General Ralph James, along with friends and colleagues of Derek and David were among the 400-strong congregation.
Fine Gael defence spokesman Jimmy Deenihan and Labour's spokesman on defence Brian O'Shea also attended.
The mens' coffins arrived at the church draped with the tricolour. Cadet Jevens' ceremonial cap was placed on top of the coffin. A ceremonial cap and commissioned officer's sword was placed on top of Capt Furniss' coffin.
Father Jerry Carroll welcomed the men's remains to the Church this evening with the words: "We welcome you home."
Photos of both men adorned the altar at the Garrison Church where under escort, their remains will rest overnight.
Captain Derek Furniss’s remains will be brought to his home in Rathfarnam tomorrow. A memorial service will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church, Ballinteer Road, Dublin at midday on Saturday. He will then be buried at Kilmashogue Cemetery, Edmonstown Road, Co. Dublin.
Cadet David Jevens's remains will be brought to his home in Glynn, Co Wexford, tomorrow. Requiem Mass will be held at St Alphonsus Church, Barntown, Co. Wexford, at 11am on Friday. Following the service, he will be buried on church grounds.
Both crewmen will be buried with full military honours.
Investigators are moving the wreckage of the Air Corps PC-9 aircraft from the scene of this week's crash at Crimlin east, a mountainous area near Cornamona on the Galway-Mayo border.
The wreckage of the Air Corps PC9 is being moved from the crash site by helicopter to Cornamona, Co Galway today. From there it will be moved by road to Gormanston Camp, Co Meath.
The investigation is led by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), Department of Transport. The Air Corps is lending practical assistance.