A priest told a crowd gathered at the funeral of a man whose body was brought into a post office that “no one should point a finger at anybody”.
The events surrounding the death of Peadar Doyle, 66, have made headlines in Ireland and internationally.
His nephew Declan Haughney and another man brought him into Hosey’s Post Office in Carlow to collect his pension – “not realising” he was dead last Friday morning.
But speaking at the service on Monday, presiding priest Fr Thomas Little said “no one should ever point a finger” at anyone after what happened to Peadar.
He added: “I would like to say too that I was deeply saddened and shocked at the way that his untimely and sad death has been portrayed.
“It wasn’t fair to you as a family, it wasn’t fair to Peadar and it was so wrong to have done such a thing.
“Nobody should ever point a finger at anybody because as Peadar would say to you, if you point a finger at somebody, you know there’s three fingers pointing back to you.”
Mourners including Peadar’s nephew Declan gathered at the Church of the Holy Family in Askea, Co Carlow.
A Garda investigation into the circumstances of the events surrounding Peadar’s death and his escorted walk remains active –though no one has yet been arrested.
Declan, who said he didn’t know his uncle was dead when he brought him to the post office, was also seen carrying his coffin yesterday.
Speaking to those gathered at the service, Fr Little said what happened was “hurtful” to Peadar’s family.
He added: “We know that and I know that too and it’s very hurtful and I’m just sorry for the family for that to have happened.
“It shouldn’t have happened, but I will say this too – it was uplifting to see the number of people that turned out yesterday in the quiet and gentle way to light their candle on the street where he lived.
“It shows that goodness always wins out in the long run. Peadar was bigger and better than all the criticism and the horrible things that were said.
“He was far bigger than any of that and I do deeply believe he is with his God, to be reunited with his family, his brothers, his father and mother and those that have gone before him.”
Gifts of a paintbrush, representing Peadar’s love of painting, a travel book to represent his many travels in America, and a statue of a robin, showing his love for animals, were handed up to the altar during the Mass. At the end of the service Peadar’s niece Charmaine gave a speech about how he was “a hero” and “like a father” to her and others.
She said: “Peadar treated each and every one of his nieces and nephews as if we were his own children – and he was like a second father to us all.”
She revealed that Peadar took care of everyone in the family and that he also cared for pigeons, that he raced and won prizes for over the years.
Charmaine added: “Peadar’s positivity was contagious. He was witty and had a great memory of quotes from classical movies, literature and poetry.”
She told how Peadar was “a perfectionist” and a great cook, cleaner, had worked as a caretaker and a waiter – and was an exceptional painter.
She also spoke about Peadar’s passion for holidays. Charmaine added: “He spent some time on road trips on America’s east coast and loved to regale us with stories from his trip. He had great knowledge of current affairs and a gift for listening to others, which allowed him to be the greatest of conversationalists.”
She said her uncle “made you feel cared for, special and loved in a way no one else could”.
She added: “Peadar was a quiet man who was always proud of and devoted to his family. In public he was dignified and polite – kind and cheerful to everyone he met.
“To him, loving and caring for his family and making so many memories with them was what was most important to him.”
Charmaine ended by saying her uncle was someone whose greatness wasn’t known to many, but to those closest to him, he was their everything.
She added: “He has made a monumental impression on our hearts and on our souls. His heart was bigger than himself and I’m so lucky to have had such a teacher in my life.”
Meanwhile, Garda Superintendent Aidan Brennan, who is leading the investigation, said they want to “establish when exactly Mr Doyle died”.
Supt Brennan told KCLR FM that gardai have spoken with the men who brought Mr Doyle to the post office and received “good co-operation” from them.
Funeral director Rory Healy of Healy Funeral Directors said Mr Doyle’s family are heartbroken.
He added: “They are very upset over the whole affair. I knew Peadar personally. It’s very, very sad.”
