The death of Donegal businessman Stephen McCahill has left a “huge void” in the local community, his funeral mass has heard.
Mr McCahill was found dead following an assault at his home outside the town of Ard an Rátha last Monday.
A huge crowd of mourners paid their respects to the 66-year-old married father of two.
Tributes to Mr McCahill have noted his heavy involvement with the local community and he was named Donegal Person of the Year in 2016.
Watch: McCahill’s death is ‘terrible tragedy’, funeral told
He was previously a chairman of the heritage centre and the community centre in Ard an Rátha, and was former chairman, secretary and public relations officer of the parish council.
Mr McCahill’s funeral mass was held at the Church of the Holy Family in the town this afternoon.
The hearse stopped outside the Corner House Bar, which he owned, from where members of staff and the local GAA club then walked the few hundred metres to the church for requiem Mass.
Father Aodhan Cannon said the community had gathered to support Mr McCahill’s “heartbroken wife Martina” as well as children, granddaughter, personal assistant, other family members and friends.
The hearse is seen outside the Corner House bar which Stephen McCahill owned
He said: “Stephen’s death is a terrible tragedy and has left a huge void in the lives of those who love him.
“We are inconsolable but our funeral today will give us a wee bit of hope and a wee bit of consolation in our terrible loss and grief.”
A series of symbols of Mr McCahill’s life were brought to the top of the church, near his wooden coffin which was adorned with flowers.
The symbols represented the Corner House bar, where Mr McCahill took “great pride” in his work and “made sure everyone felt welcome” as a co-owner.
Stephen McCahill was found dead following an assault at his home outside the town of Ard an Rátha.
Although he did not drink alcohol himself, the mass was told that he loved the life of the bar and that he had created a place of “welcome, warmth, music, storytelling and belonging”.
He regarded the staff as extended family and loved those who filled it with song, jiving and easy conversation.
Other symbols represented his “fierce loyalty” to the fishing industry and friends as well as his “curiosity, active lifestyle and zest for life”.
Fr Cannon said the Donegal Person of the Year award represented Mr McCahill’s tireless work behind the scenes and “heartfelt dedication” to the people of the county.
He said: “For all the public recognition, his greatest work was often quiet and personal, helping people on an individual basis.
“This award stands as a symbol of a life lived generously for the good of the whole community.”
The final symbol was a photo of his family, which was “what mattered most to him”.
Michael Maloney, 32, of Loughros Point, Ard an Rátha, appeared before a special sitting of Letterkenny district court on Tuesday evening and was charged with the murder of Mr McCahill.