The funeral of murder victim Aidan Moffitt has taken place in Co Roscommon, where he was remembered as a “character” and an "exemplary and loving son" to his mother Kathleen.
The body of the 41-year-old auctioneer and Fine Gael activist was found at his home in Cartron Heights, in Sligo town, on April 11.
At his funeral, mourners heard how he “lived his life to the full” and loved horse racing, politics and a good night out.
Aidan’s remains were removed from the Sharkey Funeral Home in Ballaghaderreen to Christ the King Church in Lisacul for his funeral mass at 12 midday on Easter Monday.
Symbols representing Aidan’s life including his love for Roscommon, for horse racing, his job as an auctioneer, his Catholic faith and his love for his family were brought to the altar.
These included a Roscommon flag, an auctioneer's mallet and briefcase, Aidan’s jockeys’ silks, a statue of Our Lady, and a family crest.
Father Michael McManus, Parish Priest and a close friend of the Moffitt family, said the mass and remembered Aidan as a loyal and dedicated son to his mother Kathleen.
Fr McManus said there were “no words to describe the grief that his death has caused to his family” and said that we should remember Aidan for his life, and not the violent manner in which he died.
“As we remember Aidan, let us not let the manner of his death be the lasting memory we have of Aidan,” he said.
“Aidan was a character who lived his life to the full, always putting his family and friends before his own needs.
“Even though Aidan was successful in his working life, he was firstly and foremost a son, brother, uncle and friend.
“Aidan’s love for his family was always seen in how he treated his mother Kathleen and his family. His care for his mother Kathleen was exemplary, constantly on the phone to make sure she was alright.”
“Aidan’s love of horse racing, politics and a good night out are all well documented. It showed the type of man he was.”
He added: “Aidan has been described so rightly as caring, loyal, gentle, intelligent, dedicated and the best friend anyone could have.
A message from Bishop Kevin Doran, the Bishop of Elphin, addressed the Moffitt family was read during the service.
It read: "I understand that this has been a particularly painful week for you because Aidan has been taken away from you so suddenly and because you have had to go through these days in the full glare of publicity. I am grateful for the kindness with which you welcomed me when I called to your home and I know, from listening to what you told me, that each one of you has his or her own treasured memory of Aidan, as a son, a brother or an uncle."
Bishop Doran also recognised Aidan’s work as a political activist for Fine Gael, saying: "I understand that Aidan’s interest in politics was something he picked up at a young age from his father, Tom. Politics calls for generous sacrifices in the service of others for the sake of the common good. Not everybody is willing to make those sacrifices. We can be thankful for the gifts that Aidan shared in this and in so many other ways. "
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