The funeral has taken, amidst a substantial garda presence, of a 21-year-old man stabbed to death in England last month.
John ‘Johnny’ Joyce from St. Enda’s, Beechpark in Ennis, was found with fatal injuries in Wolverhampton on August 17th. Despite the best efforts of emergency services Mr Joyce died at the scene. Two other men were taken to hospital with injuries.
Police later confirmed that a 46-year-old man, found near the scene, was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been charged with over Mr Joyce’s death.
Mr Joyce’s body was flown home to Shannon Airport on Thursday and taken to his family’s home in Ennis.
On Saturday, gardaí were deployed at several locations including at Ennis Cathedral and Drumcliffe cemetery. Members of the Garda public order and armed support units were standing by to assist other uniformed and plain clothes members.
Following mass at Ennis Cathedral at 10.30am the funeral cortege made its way to the graveyard on the outskirts of Ennis where another large crowd had gathered.
A carriage, drawn by four horses wearing headdresses and draped in tricolors, brought Mr Joyce’s green, white and gold coffin to Ennis Cathedral and later to Drumcliffe cemetery.
Lead by a lone piper, relatives carried a floral tributes including one that read: “Free as a bird”. Two others lifted a large banner saying: “Big Johnnie Clare Joyce – Never to be forgotten, rest in peace”.
The funeral passed off without incident.