‘You’ll be forever in our thoughts’

THEY were the symbols of his life. Personal reminders of a life cut so cruelly short.

* A shirt, “because Alan was always immaculately dressed”.

* A jar of Maxwell House, “because there was nothing he enjoyed more than to have a cup of coffee, while watching television, after a long day at work”.

* A copy of the thesis “which helped earn him an MSc at UCC”.

* A photograph of the family.

* A Star Trek DVD.

* A toothbrush, because “Alan had the most perfect smile”.

* Keys to the family supermarket.

Family members of murdered Kilkenny postmaster Alan Cunniffe broke down in tears at his funeral Mass yesterday afternoon as they described their love for their brother, who was gunned down last Friday while giving chase to an armed robber.

Thousands of mourners who gathered at St Canice’s Church in Kilkenny witnessed heartrending scenes as family, friends and colleagues of the 31-year-old came together to say their farewells.

Chief celebrant Father Jim Murphy called on the country’s leaders to “rid our society of the evil of violence and the disregard for the sacredness of human life.”

Afterwards, Mr Cunniffe’s mother Muriel, brothers Declan, James (his twin), Enda, Thomas, and sisters Ann, Muriel and Emily led mourners as they brought him on his last journey, across the city to St Kieran’s cemetery for burial.

The cortege paused along the way outside the John’s Green post office and supermarket which have been the family businesses for years and which the deceased helped to run after the death of his father Tom two years ago. During the Mass, symbols of Alan Cunniffe’s life were brought to the altar by friends and family, while his sister Ann spoke of their meaning.

Fr Ryan referred to Alan’s school days at the Presentation Convent in Kilkenny and the CBS primary and secondary schools, as well as UCD and UCC.

“He wore his learning lightly. He returned to manage the family business and lately the post office. What a success he made of it. He was the leader of a great team.”

The deceased’s brother, Thomas Cunniffe, recalled happy times such as Christmas occasions when the entire family would go to the cinema together to see films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy; or Saturday evenings in front of the television; or when the brothers would rib each other with nicknames such as ‘Scholesy’, ‘Giggsy’ and ‘Becks’.

He wept while reciting a prayer from their childhood. Enda Cunniffe also cried as he remembered his brother, “a decent skin”, who hadn’t any malice or a bad bone in his body. “You’ll be forever in our thoughts. Rest easy brother.”

A soloist sang during the Mass, old hymns as well as songs like The Rose and You Raise Me Up.

A postal worker from Dublin, Eamonn Walsh, played the uileann pipes and some of Alan Cunniffe’s favourite songs, Shining Light and Your Song, were piped through the church during the holy communion service.

Representing President Mary McAleese at yesterday’s funeral were her aide-de-camp Captain Mick Treacy, while Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was represented by his aide-de-camp Commandant Michael Murray.

All post offices closed yesterday from noon to 1pm as a mark of respect.