LOCAL REACTION:THE MOTHER of murder victim Shane Geoghegan has expressed her "deep-felt thanks" to the people of Limerick and farther afield for what she said was the "unbelievable response" and sympathy received by the family.
Speaking ahead of his funeral yesterday, Mr Geoghegan's mother Mary said: "We deeply appreciate your thoughts and your support is a great consolation to us all."
A book of condolences, opened at Limerick City Hall on Monday, has recorded hundreds of messages of support from a community shocked by Mr Geoghegan's murder.
The Limerick Leadernewspaper also set up a special webpage which led to thousands of messages being posted from people in Ireland.
A close friend and neighbour of Mary Geoghegan, Hillary Thompson, said yesterday the Geoghegan family was moved by the support shown by people.
"She told me she was touched by people signing books of condolence, lighting candles on the Limerick Leaderwebsite and all the support from Garryowen rugby club," said Ms Thompson.
"It's horrendous. It's the most awful thing imaginable. My heart goes out to the whole family," she added.
The Bishop of Limerick yesterday called on the community to honour Mr Geoghegan's memory and act in solidarity by reporting any relevant information on the murder to the gardaí.
"All human life is precious and murder is never acceptable. As a community we all have a responsibility to protect life. The death of Shane has shocked all of Limerick and beyond," said Bishop Donal Murray.
"This senseless killing of an innocent man with his whole life before him is further evidence of the futility of this evil feud, and the callous inhumanity with which it is pursued," he added.
Elsewhere, the University of Limerick held a silent protest by staff members and students in the main plaza yesterday, intended to show their strong opposition to the latest murder in the city and support the Geoghegan family.
Garryowen rugby club said it would retire the number three jersey across all teams in the club for the remainder of the season.
"From here on, we will be strengthened in the knowledge that every Garryowen team that takes the pitch will have Shane as our 16th man, there beside us," the club said in a statement.
"We join with the people of Limerick and everywhere else in calling for an end to the criminality that has caused Shane's death, and in particular we would like to offer our fullest support and thanks to the gardaí, in their efforts to achieve that."
Gardai in Limerick investigating the killing of Mr Geoghegan at the weekend said a team of up to 50 officers would remain on the case until the killers are caught.
Garda sources said the investigation would be painstaking and while it could take a number of years, they believed it would result in convictions.
The team of detectives working the case last night held a conference at Mayorstone Garda station to map out their plans for the investigation.
Gardai believe the murdered 28-year-old was killed by men who mistook him for their intended target.