Bearing the scars of the attack which left him in hospital and his brother dead, Mr Peter Logan (83) returned to his home village of Castlejordan last night to mourn the loss of Paddy (81).
He was wearing plasters on his face and hands and limping badly as he arrived at the local church, surrounded by family and friends.
He had been discharged from Tullamore General Hospital earlier that afternoon, two days after the attack at the brothers' isolated home half a mile outside Castlejordan.
Mr Paddy Logan died of a heart attack during the assault by raiders who beat the men severely and demanded money. The two raiders fled by car with £45. Mr Logan's funeral will take place after 11 a.m. Mass today to the cemetery in Castlejordan.
More than 500 people crowded into the church last night for the removal of Mr Logan's remains. Many more stood outside and listened to the ceremony in the rain.
The parish priest, Father Paddy Dillon, offered prayers for the dead man's family and friends. When Father Dillon acknowledged the presence of Mr Logan's older brother, the congregation burst into spontaneous applause.
Gardai investigating the aggravated robbery are examining possible links with other recent crimes in the area, including an attempted robbery at the brothers' home five months ago.
A number of locals have come forward with information on previously unreported incidents since the beginning of the year, including minor thefts and breakins.
Among the lines of inquiry being followed is the possibility that the raiders were the same men who tried to burgle the Logan home last January but were scared off by the brothers with a legally-held shotgun.
House-to-house inquiries continued yesterday, conducted by a 70-strong investigation team headed by Supt Peter Wheeler.
Insp John Dunleavy of Portlaoise station said the inquiry was still at an early stage. "We would appeal particularly to anyone who may have been driving through the area that afternoon."
Gardai have yet to issue a detailed description of the assailants or the car in which they made their escape.
One description suggested one of the men had dark hair and the other red hair. A further report was given to gardai of a white car with a Northern Ireland registration in the area at the time.
However, Insp Dunleavy said the inquiry was "staying as broad as possible". "We're not in the position to give descriptions yet."
Gardai are not ruling out the possibility that a third man may have been involved in the incident, who may have remained in the car while the assaults took place.
"At least two men were involved, possibly more," said Insp Dunleavy. "We will be in a position in a day or two to clarify that and hopefully go along a particular line of inquiry."
The incident room at Eden derry Garda station can be contacted at 0405-31290.
