Assault victim Russell Forde’s devastated mother was comforted at his funeral and told her son’s death was “in no way God’s will”.
Russell Forde, 39, died in hospital last Thursday, two days after he suffered head injuries in Sligo town on April 19.
The family priest told his mum Eileen how hard and unfair it is to have lost her husband Eugene in 2006 and now their son Russell, so tragically.
Fr Steve Walsh said: “Eileen, the cross you carry is so heavy. We feel for you because Russell’s death came so tragically.
“It was such a surprise for everyone who knew him.
“His death comes as a result of an unforeseen accident that was so devastating in its effects on you and your family.
“A death like that is in no way God’s will.”
The family gathered around an open casket at Foley and McGowan Funeral Home in Sligo for an emotional family service.
A Liverpool jersey was draped over the foot of Russell’s coffin and images from happier times were shown on a screen, as Russell’s mum was comforted amid her tears for her son.
A smiling photograph of Russell, looking smart in a shirt and tie, was on display near his coffin.
Scorn Not This Simplicity, a song made famous by The Dubliners, was played in Russell’s memory before two of his four brothers delivered eulogies.
His older brother Warren said: “It was a very sudden shock to have lost our brother.”
He added that they met just hours before Russell was rushed to hospital and had talked about Russell’s “beloved Liverpool”.
He said: “Russell may have passed, but he never walked alone.”
Gardai revealed that they were treating Russell’s death as suspicious and appealed for witnesses and video footage of his last moments, which friends told the Irish Mirror had been shared on social media, showing him staggering on the street.
One said: “I heard that he took a couple of punches before he fell to the ground.”
Russell was treated at the scene and at Sligo University Hospital before he was transferred to head specialist hospital Beaumont in Dublin, where he died.
Post-mortem examination results, which have not been released, will direct gardai on the nature of their investigation.
Russell was buried in Sligo cemetery.
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