Community representatives have expressed shock at the breaking and entering of the home of a local historian in Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, within 24 hours of his death.
Denis P O'Sullivan, who was well-known in the area for his storytelling as well as his knowledge of Irish, local history and genealogy, died suddenly on Sunday after attending Mass.
A former postmaster, he was aged 86.
Mr O'Sullivan was a former public relations officer of the Kerry GAA county board and did much to promote hurling in the football stronghold of south Kerry.
He was also well-known for his roles in local dramatic societies in west Cork and the Kilgarvan-Kenmare areas.
He wrote the Kilgarvan notes for local newspapers for half a century.
It is believed that on Sunday or in the early hours of Monday burglars broke in through a side door to the large house and shop where he had lived alone.
They rifled through his collections of local records and documents.
Valuables and much of the contents of the small shop had already been removed, however, according to gardaí.
Mr O'Sullivan's removal on Monday and burial on Tuesday were among the largest seen in south Kerry.
The break-in has shocked the local community.
"Denis P's house was the centre of intelligence in the parish.
"He was known to people all over the world. His house was better known than Dáil Éireann to a lot of people," GAA club member Tom Randles said yesterday.
Graham Gleasure, a funeral director in Tralee, said his firm was now advising bereaved families not to publish the exact addresses of private houses in funeral notices.
It was also discouraging the placing of door cards or black crepe on private houses as unfortunately those houses were targeted.
Among those paying tribute to Mr O'Sullivan were Independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae.