The funeral mass of David Byrne has passed off peacefully. Around 500 people gathered for the service of the man shot dead at the Regency Hotel.
Security was extremely tight on Francis Street where the family of David Byrne gathered for the mass which passed off peacefully.
Gardai took no chances at David Byrne’s funeral and uniformed and non uniformed gardai patrolled the area in and around Francis Street.
This morning, sweeps of the Church of St Nicholas of Myra on Francis Street were carried out to check for explosives.
And two nearby schools have been closed as a precaution.
A lone piper broke the silence that befell Francis St. as the funeral cortege snaked its way through the narrow streets of the south inner city.
David Byrne’s silver coffin emerged moments later on the shoulders of some of his chief mourners, who were dressed in navy and blue – a nod to one of his favourite sporting teams.
Hundreds then poured into the small grounds of the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra as uniformed Gardai stood guard outside.
Armed officers also patrolled the area and the Garda helicopter kept an eye on proceedings from above. Two nearby schools closed as a precaution and some businesse chose to shut.
The procession emerged from the church just after 2pm and a fleet of black limos followed Mr. Byrne’s hearse to a cemetery in Harold’s Cross.
Before today’s funeral, Gardai said they were not expecting any trouble. Their attention will soon turn to the policing of Eddie Hutch’s funeral. The brother of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch was murdered at his home last week.
David Byrne will be laid to rest at Mount Jerome Cemetery.
