A PRIEST at the funeral of a gangland murder victim has appealed to the women and men involved in violence in Ireland to "look into their hearts" and realise the pain they are causing to families.
Fr Austin McNamara was speaking in St John's Cathedral in Limerick yesterday, at the funeral Mass of 40-year-old Mark Moloney who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting last Saturday afternoon in the Garryowen area of the city.
An 18-year-old youth is currently in custody charged with Mr Moloney's murder.
In his homily Fr McNamara described the gangland killing as "senseless" and a "great human tragedy".
"Can I humbly appeal to the men and women involved in violence in our country to look into your hearts and see the grief and the pain that you are causing to so many families," he said.
"I appeal to those who are responsible for Mark's death to look into their hearts and to see the pain and the suffering that you have caused to Mark's mother and to his family these last days."
Fr McNamara told mourners that only God has the right to take life and he stressed that the time has now come for peace.
"There is a time for all things under heaven and this is the time for peace. Mark's mother expressed that wish on Monday and also last night that there would be peace and in longing for that peace we pray earnestly."
More than 150 mourners attended yesterday's funeral Mass and Mr Moloney's coffin was brought by horse drawn carriage to Mount St Oliver Cemetery for burial.
"This is a great human tragedy, a tragedy that life, once again, is denied its natural passage and ending in our world," said Fr McNamara.
A large floral wreath saying "Our Mark" was placed under the coffin during the funeral Mass.
Mourners were led by Mr Moloney's mother Kitty who was accompanied by her six daughters, Chrissie, Angela, Rosie, Majella, Margaret and Kathleen, and four sons, Jimmy, Michael, Noelie, and Frank.
There was a visible Garda presence outside the church for yesterday's service.