The funeral of 23-year-old John Grey, who died at the weekend more than two weeks after taking drugs at a party in his family home, took place amid emotional scenes at a packed St Saviour's Church, Ballybeg, Waterford, yesterday.
The ceremony commenced to the strains of Nearer My God to Thee while Mr Grey's aunt Ann Martin and a close family friend delivered the readings.
Among the offerings brought up to the altar were a horseshoe to mark his love of horses, and a framed picture of the deceased with President Mary McAleese.
Members of the media were asked by representatives of the Grey family to remain outside the church and the cemetery.
The family did, however, provide an outline of how the service would proceed, through Garda liaison officer Insp Pádraig Dunne.
Mr Grey had been in a coma since he collapsed at the party in Ballybeg in the early hours of November 25th last. Another man, Kevin Doyle (21) who was also at the party, died last week.
According to local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Kenneally, who attended the service, the acting parish priest of Ballybeg Fr Martin Crowe in his address to the congregation attempted to talk to those present as if he were using the voices of Mr Grey and Mr Doyle.
Fr Crowe's key message to his parishioners - as had been the message at Mr Doyle's funeral last week - was to encourage people to stay away from drugs.
He said: "He said that I and young Kevin Doyle, we have paid the ultimate price for this. We have learned our lesson and our lesson is the ultimate price, please learn from that, and say no to drugs."
The eulogy was delivered by a friend of the deceased's girlfriend, Fiona .
"I don't think Fiona was in a position to do it herself. She was basically putting forward Fiona's great love for John, and how well they got on together, and the time they hoped they would have together in the future, but unfortunately now that's not to be," Mr Kenneally said. Mr Grey's mother, Betty, had also spoken to Fr Crowe of her son's "great heart", he added.
Mr Grey's coffin was led from the church by the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, William Lee, Fr Crowe and family friend Fr PJ Fagan.
Behind them followed Mr Grey's mother Betty, father Martin and other family members. Later a wreath was laid in the hearse alongside the coffin before the cortege made its way to St Ottorans Cemetery in Ballinaneashagh.
In white lettering on a blue background the floral tribute spelled out: "My Son".