Post offices across the country will be closed for an hour today as a mark of respect for murdered postmaster Alan Cunniffe, whose funeral was held this afternoon.
Mr Cunniffe (31) died last Friday after being shot while chasing an armed robber in Kilkenny.
He was at work in the family-run supermarket next door to the sub-post office on John's Green. When he was alerted to the robbery he chased the gunman, who shot him once in the stomach.
Last night, people lined the approaches to St Canice's Church. Mourners were led by Mr Cunniffe's mother, Muriel; his brothers Declan, James, Enda and Thomas; and sisters Ann, Muriel and Emily.
Members of local GAA clubs formed a guard of honour at the church entrance, and the representative of President Mary McAleese, aide-de-camp Capt Mick Treacy, attended the removal.
All An Post staff observed a two-minute silence at noon and post offices were closed between noon and 1.00pm.
An unemployed man appeared in court on Sunday charged with Mr Cunniffe's murder. Shu Shen (24), of no fixed abode, was also charged with robbing the post office at John's Green, Kilkenny, of €13,760.