The funeral of Tom Niland, who died at Sligo University Hospital, took place on Saturday morning, reports RTE.
Niland, 75, has been in hospital since a serious burglary at his home in Screen, Co Sligo, on January 18 last year.
The trial is currently going on against three people in this incident.
At the beginning of the funeral in the church of St. Adamnan on screen, parish priest, Fr. Michael Gilroy welcomed and thanked the staff at Sligo University Hospital who played an integral part in his care and said their kindness to him would never be forgotten.
On behalf of Mr Niland’s family, Fr. Gilroy thanked police officers, civil defence, local volunteers, the press and the media for all they had done for him, reports RTE.
In his tribute, Fr. Gilroy said Mr Niland’s family will be forever grateful to Dr Kevin Murphy and his team for their excellent care and compassion.
“They will miss him greatly from their midst, as we all will,” he said, reports RTE.
“As the days became weeks, and the weeks became months, they discovered the humble, gracious, gentle and kind man that we all love and respect,” he added, reports RTE.
Tom was a shy man until you had the chance of knowing him, Fr Gilroy said.
“He was soft-spoken in a manner that was indicative of his gentle personality. His car gave him great independence, and he enjoyed visiting his family and friends. To put it simply, Tom lived a quiet and contented life. For the last 21 months, we have missed his gentle presence in our midst,” he said, reports RTE.
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