The funeral has taken place of Tom Niland who died on Saturday morning last at Sligo University Hospital.
Mr Niland, 75, had been in hospital since an aggravated burglary at his home in Skreen, Co Sligo, on 18 January last year.
Three men are currently before the courts in relation to the incident.
At the start of his funeral mass at St Adamnan's Church in Skreen, Parish Priest Fr Michael Gilroy welcomed and thanked staff from Sligo University Hospital who played an integral part in his medical care and said their kindness to him will never be forgotten.
On behalf of Mr Niland's family, Fr Gilroy thanked the gardaí, Civil Defence, local volunteers, press and media for all they had done in support of him.
In his homily, Fr Gilroy said that Mr Niland's family will be forever grateful to Dr Kevin Murphy and his team for the excellence of his care and for his compassion.
"They will miss him greatly from their midst, as we all will," he said.
Fr Gilroy described how hospital staff lined the route when Mr Niland's body was being removed from Sligo University Hospital in what he called a "poignant guard of honour".
It was a moving gesture, he said, which was a testament to the relationship they had developed with Mr Niland over the past 21 months.
"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 said.
Fr Gilroy said that while "there is a profound sadness at Tom's leaving us, there is also a sense of relief that Tom's suffering is over and that he is now at peace with God".
Gifts representing Mr Niland's life were brought to the altar and included his car keys and flowers.
Fr Gilroy said Tom loved cars and loved his garden, which he always kept neat and tidy. A St Brigid's cross, which Mr Niland had made himself, represented his faith.
There was a photograph of his home and a tin of biscuits, a trademark Christmas gift given by Tom, was displayed in memory of his kindness at that time of year.
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Mr Niland was a gifted farmer, Fr Gilroy said, and there was a rhythm to his life that was closely linked to nature.
"Tom loved working the land and tending to the livestock" and Fr Gilroy said that even in his retirement Tom continued his love of farming, "his knowledge and skills were often called upon and Tom would happily oblige".
Fr Gilroy said that Tom was a shy man until you had the privilege of getting to know him.
"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."
Mr Niland was a single man and an only child.
Fr Gilroy paid tribute to his cousins who cared for him and "greatly loved him". He also spoke of Mr Niland's closeness to his friends and neighbours.
Fr Gilroy said that people in every part of the country and beyond mourn the loss of Mr Niland.
"Thousands of messages are pouring in on social media from people around the world who are deeply saddened by Tom's death.
"For a man who was so shy and unassuming, his gentle smile has reached every corner of the world and touched the hearts of many people who never knew him," he said.
"Today we pay our final respect to a man who has been part of the fabric of this parish over so many years.
"A life lived with gentleness and humility, two of the most beautiful virtues that you can find in a human being."
Mr Niland was buried in nearby St Michael's cemetery.
