A Limerick priest last night appealed for peace following the removal of John Ryan, who was shot dead in a gangland killing earlier this week.
Father Michael O'Shea asked the congregation at the packed St Lelia's church, Ballynanty, to pray for the victims of violence, their families, and those working towards peace in the community.
The shooting of Mr Ryan on Monday night, as he laid a patio in a neighbour's front garden, is the third death in a long-running feud between the Keane and Ryan families, which has claimed three lives over the last three years.
Mr Ryan was an uncle of the two young men allegedly abducted last January, Eddie and Kieran jnr.
Armed plainclothes detectives monitored last night's removal, while uniformed gardaí kept a discreet distance as Mr Ryan's body was taken in an ornate white coffin from a city-centre funeral home to St Lelia's Church.
Mr Ryan will be buried today in Mount St Oliver cemetery after Requiem Mass at 11 a.m.
Father O'Shea described the murder as "sad and shocking" and prayed for peace.
He also described Mr Ryan as a "handyman" who was always willing to help his friends and neighbours.
Mr Ryan's wife, Christina, and his seven children, along with other members of the wider Ryan family, were among the mourners at last night's removal.
Among those carrying the coffin were sons of Mr Ryan's murdered brother, Eddie, who was shot dead at the Moose Bar in Limerick in November 2000.
Floral tributes to "Uncle", "Dad" and "Brother" and a photo of Mr Ryan accompanied the coffin.
Supt Willie Keane, who is leading the investigation, yesterday restated his appeal to those involved in the feud to "hold back".
"It was a brutal killing. I appeal to those involved in the dispute, hold back and let the gardaí find Mr Ryan's killers," he said.
The newly elected Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Dick Sadlier, also called on those involved to reflect on what was happening and said a reprisal would only lead to further needless deaths.
Gardaí have recovered a 125cc motorbike which they believe was used in the shooting.
Two men in their early 20s were arrested earlier in the week and were released without charge.
A post-mortem carried out by the Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, showed Mr Ryan was hit by three bullets in the abdomen, shoulder and leg. One may have severed an artery.
