Thousands of people have attended the funeral in Midleton, Co Cork, of schoolboy Robert Holohan whose body was found in the south of the county three days ago.
During the Requiem Mass, Fr Billy O'Donovan said the pain of the community was apparent and that everybody was moved by the anguish Robert's parents and family were suffering.
He praised the heroism of people, particularly the hundreds of volunteers who had helped search for Robert.
In a message from President Mary McAleese, read out at the funeral, she said the nation had been moved by the pain and suffering of the family, and by their courage.
Representatives of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, attended along with Robert's classmates and members of his local GAA team.
The mass at the Church of the Holy Rosary in the town was followed by a burial in the nearby cemetery.
Midleton closed for business from 1pm as a mark of respect.
Gardaí say they are confident they will solve the 11-year-old's murder. The focus of their investigation is rooted in the county.
Robert's body was discovered on Wednesday near Inch Strand in east Cork, some 12 miles from his home.
A post mortem examination established that he died from asphyxiation.
Gardaí are now believed to be pursuing a small number of suspects in the belief that he may have been killed by someone known to him.
Today gardaí took fingerprints from hundreds of local people voluntarily as part of their inquiries.
Detectives have issued an appeal for anyone who may have seen a white pick-up truck in the vicinity at the time he disappeared last Tuesday week.
