The shooting dead of nightclub security man Mr Brian Fitzgerald, someone "doing his job", was condemned by the principal celebrant at his funeral Mass yesterday.
Father Tom Mangan told a large congregation at St Mary's Church in Thundered Street, Limerick, that the 34-year-old father of two was "doing his best to create a safe and secure environment for young people going out to enjoy themselves, trying to save young lives from the many evils of society around us today".
Mr Fitzgerald was fatally wounded by two men near his home last Friday morning as he returned home from work at Doc's nightclub on Michael Street in the city. As head of security at the nightclub he was determined to keep drug pushers out of the club.
In his homily Father Mangan said: "For his beliefs he has paid a heavy price and nobody deserves to die like that. How can an act like this achieve any benefit, any time, anywhere? There is no sense to it, but there are people in our society today who seem to make sense of this."
Father Mangan, a former curate in St Mary's parish and friend of the family, said he found it hard to put words on what had happened. Local people were left in a profound state of shock. "Nobody more than his young family knows this. His wife, Alice, Aaron and Van, his two lovely boys, are now left without a very caring father."
He said Brian was "a most obliging man, decent and honest", a good neighbour, and highly regarded by his many friends, neighbours and work colleagues.
The blue flag of the local St Mary's Rugby Club, for whom he played, hung over a front pew in the church and club members provided a guard of honour at the funeral.
Also in attendance were the manager of the Irish rugby team, Mr Brian O'Brien, and former Irish international and Lions player, Mr Colm Tucker.
The burial took place afterwards at Mount St Oliver Cemetery in Limerick.
Gardaí have not ruled out the possibility that the main suspect in the killing may have fled to England. Limerick detectives have been in touch with Scotland Yard seeking help with their inquiries.
They are also investigating indications that a drugs gang refused entry to Doc's nightclub may have been responsible for killing Mr Fitzgerald.
Mr Fitzgerald's home was shot at a year ago and, it is understood, he had also received threats.
It is believed that as he ran from his attackers, he was shot twice with an automatic weapon and that as he lay on the ground, a gunman went up to him and shot him twice again.
There are also reports that his killers may have been in Florida for training on the use of automatic weapons.
It is believed drugs gangs have been bringing in automatic weapons in drugs consignments to the Republic.
The group, believed to have five members, reportedly travelled to the US under the guise of sports club members.