Image source: RIP.ie
A wooden urn containing the ashes of Mike Gaine was placed in the navigator’s seat of his beloved Mark II Ford Escort for one poignant final journey through the streets of his home town this Saturday.
The vehicle, driven by his close friend Shane McCarthy, was painstakingly restored and had an engine fitted by his pals in Killarney and District Motor Club in time for his funeral Mass in Holy Cross Church, Kenmare this morning.
Kenmare came to a silent standstill as the hearse, in which Mike’s wife Janice travelled, led the cortege through the streets followed closely by the rally car and the tractor from his farm on Carrig East with his grieving family close behind.
Members of Killarney and District Motor Club, led by rally event clerk of the course Dermot Healy, formed a guard of honour and escorted the cortege through the streets.
A private resting place has been chosen for 56-year-old Mike, a hugely popular local farmer, whose gruesome death has shocked the country.
Mike’s disappearance from his farm in Kenmare was initially treated as a missing person’s case but investigating gardaí later upgraded the case to one of murder.
A packed to capacity Holy Cross heard Kenmare Parish Priest, Fr George Hayes, say that what was important now was to remember Michael Gaine for how he lived and not how he died.
“Over the weeks since Michael went missing, we’ve asked so many questions and in life, sometimes, there are no answers.
“Today we recover Michael’s dignity – we speak Michael’s name with love,” he said.
In a moving tribute from the altar, Mike’s cousin Eoghan Clarke, remembered a man who was caring, affectionate, kind and considerate.
“Micheal meant so much to so many people and I’d ask everyone to think of their favourite memories of Michael and to hold those happy memories in your mind,” he said.
Symbols of Mike’s life brought to the altar included his wedding day photograph, a picture of him on his quad bike, a holiday snap, a globe symbolising his interest in current affairs and a favourite CD.
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