The funeral of a businessman who died on Christmas Eve following a horror hammer attack has heard he was “the salt of the earth, a generous man who was well liked and always joking with people.”
Brian Reynolds, 47, was also remembered for his storytelling which always finished with him laughing - and everyone else around him laughing as well.
Brian, of Rathmullen Park in Drogheda, Co Louth died on Christmas Eve in hospital three days after a gang of up to four men burst into his home and subjected him to a horror attack involving hammers.
Detectives are now investigating whether Mr Reynolds was targeted by thugs embroiled in the Drogheda feud - in a row over a disputed sum of money.
Brian, who had previously run a small shop from a building at the rear of his three-bed property, also worked as a courier over the years, his funeral Mass at Holy Family Church in Ballsgrove heard today.
Chief mourners at his funeral Mass included his parents Larry and Ita, sisters Lynda, Lorraine and Debbie, his nephews Sam, Shaun and Finn and niece Ivy, extended family, friends and neighbours.
Curate of Ballsgrove parish Fr Stephen Kennedy told mourners that Brian was also “a very generous man who gave his family anything that they needed.
“He was always helping other people too. If anyone passed away he was one of the first people at the house with a bag of shopping for the bereaved. He was a very good person to so many people,” said Fr Kennedy.
Reading some of the condolences on RIP.ie Fr Kennedy said one person wrote: “Brian was the nicest guy, a true legend in Rathmullen,” while another wrote “He always had time for a chat. He was the salt of the earth.”
One of the stories shared by Fr Kennedy was that on one occasion while Brian was at secondary school, his dad Larry brought the car to a mechanic and had to wait around for an hour.
“Larry went for a pint in a local pub and saw two young lads in school uniforms which turned out to be Brian and a pal playing video games,” said Fr Kennedy.
“Things like this always made people smile,” he continued.
READ MORE: Gardai issue update on Christmas Eve death of man after horror ‘hammer attack’ in Drogheda
Another story shared by Fr Kennedy was that one Christmas when Brian was young he asked for a Chopper bicycle.
“He got a fold up bike which resembled a Chopper,” Fr Kennedy told mourners. “He went out on the street to his friends and cycled over a ramp. His bike buckled on him, leaving everyone finding it very funny.”
A photograph of Brian sitting in his van, smiling and wearing sunglasses was placed on top of his coffin, while his coin collection, a box of sweets and a much cherished photograph of Brian with his nephews and niece were brought to the altar as tokens of his life.
Following the funeral Mass, Brian was buried at a private service in Tullyallen Cemetery.
Meanwhile, gardai are continuing to investigate Brian’s death and continue to appeal for anyone with information that can assist with the investigation to come forward.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041-9874200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
