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Dublin Live
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Emma Nevin

Tallaght shooting victim Keith Conlon remembered as 'good friend' and 'family man' during funeral

Tallaght shooting victim Keith Conlon (Greene) was remembered as a "good friend" during his funeral mass today.

There was a huge turnout at the mass, which took place at 11am at Saint Thomas' Church the Apostle in Jobstown.

The animal lover, nicknamed Bono, died after a shooting on farmland on February 22.

After he was shot, the 35-year-old was on life support to facilitate organ donation before the machine was switched off on February 24.

Keith was a dad of four, Jamie, 19, Chloe, 17, Elaigh, six, and young baby Everleigh who was born in January.

He was a dog breeder but also had a love for horses.

A photo of Keith's dog was placed in front of the coffin during today's mass, which began with the song "The Gambler".

Keith's pal Robin paid tribute to him during the mass, calling him a "good friend" and "funny man".

He said: "Yet again it's been another tragic death in Tallaght and it's another one of our friends.

"Losing someone who is really close to you is hard. It won't be the same without Bono in Kiltalown or things with me in general. He was with me everyday, at least on the phone to me slagging me or telling each other something.

"He would have done anything for anyone if he could but if you woke him up off that couch you may forget about it.

"He was a good friend to me over the years. We had some gas times, all of us together. He is a funny man and half the time he didn't even mean to be.

"Bono loved his family and was a proper family man and loved his kids and Jeannette. He loved his dogs just as much."

"I'm going to miss that big dopey laugh. If there is life after death and you can hear me Bono, I hope you're up there smiling.

"I'm going to miss you Bro."

Funeral celebrant Fr Martin Hughes said he was touched to hear about Keith's deep love for animals.

He said: "When death comes in this particular manner, it's really shocking.

"So we begin our mass in remembrance of Keith. I didn't know him, I can't pretend I know him, but listening to the family over the last few days, he was a man who was full of life.

"A big thing about Keith that touched me very deeply was his love of animals.

"I always think that anybody who has a deep love and deep connection to animals and to creation, they are usually very special people.

"That's why we've come here and why you have turned out in such huge numbers this morning to remember Keith, because of his goodness."

Words were also read out on behalf of Keith's partner Jeannette and children, who thanked everyone for coming to the ceremony.

"Jeannette would like to thank everyone who has supported her, all of the lads who laid out everything today for her, all her friends, all the girls, all her sisters and brothers, her father, everyone around Tallaght.

"We can't thank them enough."

The mass ended with the song "How Long Will I Love You" before Keith was laid to rest in Bohernabreena Cemetery.

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