The funeral mass for 56-year-old sheep farmer Michael 'Mike' Gaine in Co Kerry has heard him being described as kind and good-natured, a lover of people, farming and animals.
His disappearance from his farm in Kenmare was initially treated as a missing person's case, but investigating gardaí now believe he was murdered.
Today was about recovering Mike Gaine's dignity, Kenmare parish priest Fr George Hayes told the congregation at the funeral mass at Holy Cross Church.
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For weeks, reports of his disappearance have been dominated by the most distressing details about the discovery of parts of his body at the farmyard and surrounding fields on his farm.
"There were many questions," Fr Hayes acknowledged, "but sometimes in life there were no answers.
"We are discommoded and feel at a loss," Fr Hayes said. "In the best tradition of Irish funerals, today is a day for recovering the dignity of Michael Gaine.
"Today we recover Michael's dignity because, today, we speak Michael’s name with love. And it is the dignity of Michael's life, and not the manner of Michael's death, that will abide in our hearts.
"Here in this place, today, we recover Michael’s dignity."
Fr Hayes described Mr Gaine as a man who loved people, farming and animals. He loved travel and adventure, rallying and banter and daily human encounters.
"Today, too, we gather to acknowledge Michael as someone who loved much and was much loved," Fr Hayes said.
"For Janice, Michael's wife, and for Noreen and Catherine, Michael's sisters, and for Michael's extended family and for Michael’s many loyal and faithful friends, today, we recall with love Michael’s memory."
Mementoes representing Mr Gaine's life were brought to the altar: pictures of him and his wife Janice on their wedding day symbolising his love of family, and on his quad bike symbolising his love of farming.
Before the funeral mass, one of Mr Gaine's cousins, Eoghan Clarke, spoke on behalf of the family.
He said his cousin was known for his incredible work ethic, personality and humour, and was a loving son, sibling and uncle.
"Michael was a proud man," he said, "a proud Kerry man and an even prouder Kenmare man.
"He was raised by two incredible parents, Jimmy and Sheila, who instilled in him their incredible work ethic, personality and humour for which Mike was so well known," Mr Clarke said.
"He had a great relationship with his parents and worked alongside them both."
Mr Clarke said Mr Gaine adored his two sisters, Noreen and Catherine.
He described how Mr Gaine had met his wife Janice at the local Riversdale Hotel after she had travelled to Kenmare from Jakarta to visit her parents in Kerry.
"Michael and Janice had a truly beautiful relationship," he said.
"It always struck me how loving Michael was with Janice and how they both spent not just time but quality time together.
"They enjoyed one another’s company in every scenario, from simple trips to the cinema in Killarney, visits to new restaurants to try new cuisine, walks in the National Park, and adventurous holidays abroad.
"Michael and Janice took an interest in one another and one another’s interests and visited culturally rich locations together. Equally, Janice took an interest in Michael's hobbies.
"Janice and Michael’s sisters will know better than anyone that Michael had a soft, caring side. In Janice’s own words, Michael was a true man. He was soft and loving, caring and affectionate, kind and considerate.
"He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong. He was strong mentally and, as anyone who ever tried to follow him up the mountain in wellies will know, he was strong physically too!"
Fr George Hayes appealed to mourners to resolve to do good in Mr Gaine's name, and he promised there would be better days ahead.
"Winter will pass. Spring will come again," he said. "There will be better days. We will continue to honour Mike and speak Mike’s name with love."
Over the past week, Mr Gaine's friends in car rallying restored the Ford Escort Mark II he used to race.
They put an engine in it and made it roadworthy.
After the funeral mass, an urn containing Mr Gaine's ashes was brought in his rally car following a hearse which led the cortege around the town.
At the request of Mr Gaine's, his final resting place will be private.
Mike Gaine's disappearance was initially treated as a missing person's case before it was re-classified by gardaí on 29 April when a criminal investigation began.
Human tissue found in fields and in the farmyard at Mr Gaine's farm on 16 May was later confirmed to be his. His death is being treated as murder.
On 19 May, gardaí arrested and questioned a man in his 50s on suspicion of Mr Gaine's murder. The man was released without charge, after he had spent 24 hours in garda custody.
Former US soldier Michael Kelley, who had been living on Mr Gaine's farm for almost three years before he moved to Tralee in April, identified himself in an interview with RTÉ News as the man who had been arrested.
Mr Kelley has denied any involvement in Mr Gaine's murder. He claims he is being framed by a subversive criminal organisation.
Mr Gaine farmed a 1,000-acre holding on the scenic Ring of Kerry, between Kenmare and Moll's Gap.
He was well known in the farming community as well as in car rallying circles.
Yesterday, hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to Mr Gaine's family.
Additional reporting PA
