The State funeral of Detective Garda Colm Horkan has been told that he was "deeply loved" and was "one of nature's gentlemen".
The 49-year-old sustained fatal injuries, following a shooting incident in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, last Wednesday night.
Det Garda Horkan's remains were carried through his hometown of Charlestown, Co Mayo, to St James' Church.
Hundreds of gardaí from local divisions gathered to form a guard of honour for their colleague, who was shot dead in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, on Wednesday.
Six gardaí carried his coffin into the church as the song You Raise Me Up was played.
Ahead of the funeral, a minute's silence was observed and matched with similar tributes at garda stations around the country at the same time.
Among symbols left at the altar to represent his life at the beginning of the mass were his garda notebook, a GAA jersey from his home team in Charlestown and a Liverpool FC tie pin.
His brother Dermot explained the significance of each.
With his voice breaking with emotion, he told the congregation: "The Liverpool motto 'you'll never walk alone' summed up Colm perfectly - he never let any of his family or friends walk alone."
Monsignor Tommy Johnston said Det Garda Horkan was "deeply loved".
He extended his condolences to his father Marty, his sister Deirdre and his brothers Aiden, Brendan, Dermot and Padraig.
Det Garda Horkan is pre-deceased by his mother Delores and twin sister Colette.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris joined mourners in the church.
Msgr Johnston said the gunshots that rang out echoed not just in Castlerea, but right across the country.
He described Det Gda Horkan as one of "nature's gentlemen" and said the hundreds of people who lined the streets of Charlestown as his body was brought back home on Friday was a silent salute for a man whose voice was gentle and approach respectful.
"That gentleness and respect earned the goodwill of so many and endeared him to young and old."
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Commissioner Harris said Det Gda Horkan's policing service was characterised by his hard work and diligence and the manner of his death should not eclipse his life.
He said he epitomised what all gardaí aspire to be and although his loss will be greatly felt by the garda family, the greatest loss will be felt by his family and offered his sincere condolences to them.
Delivering a personal tribute, Mr Horkan's brother Brendan said the outpouring of tributes from across the community had given the family strength.
"Our community has lost a pillar in the true sense of the word," he said.
"Colm was a gem, he was a son and brother like no other.
"He had all the values you would associate with a good and decent human being."
Mr Horkan said his brother was "loyal to the core".
"He was the rock in our family, the man who was the glue that held it all together," he said.
Following the requim mass, the tricolour, which had been draped on the coffin was folded and presented to Commissioner Harris, who in turned presented it to Det Gda Horkan's father.
Earlier, President Michael D Higgins signalled the start of a period of reflection by sounding the Peace Bell at Áras An Uachtaráin.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar observed a minute's silence at Garda Headquarters.
Due to ongoing public health restrictions, attendance at the funeral was limited, but friends and neighbours watched the service on a screen at the local GAA grounds.
The national flag is being flown at half-mast at Áras an Uachtaráin, as a mark of respect to Det. Garda Horkan.
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) June 21, 2020
Tá an bhratach náisiúnta ar leathchrann in Áras an Uachtaráin, mar chomhartha ómóis don Gharda Bleachtaire Horkan. pic.twitter.com/4coaV4GHGU
Flags on Government and other State buildings were lowered to half mast in tribute.
Across Mayo, GAA fans were asked to fly their club or county colours as a mark of respect to Horkan family.
Members of the public were also invited to pay a silent tribute in their homes at noon.
A friend of Det Gda Horkan described him as a "rock of society".
Former Mayo footballer John Casey said Gda Horkan was "one of the most stable and level human beings" that their hometown of Charlestown has ever produced.
"He was a friend for everybody," adding that everybody who had met him had a nice word to say about him.
Speaking on RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor programme, Mr Casey said Gda Horkan was "never found wanting in the white heat of action".
He said "every Horkan had a Casey best friend" and they "lived in each other's pockets".
"If you were to pick two families that couldn't be any closer it would be the Horkans and the Caseys", he said.
He said the last time he spoke to his friend was last week.
Colm Horkan was laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the church in which he was baptised, confirmed and where his life was today celebrated and remembered, by those who knew him and loved him best: the people of Charlestown.
