A priest has appealed for feuding Travellers to turn away from violence.

The call was made at the funeral of Barney McGinley, who was laid to rest in Athlone this afternoon.

In his homily at St Mary’s church this afternoon, Fr Turlough Baxter urged those involved in the feud to end it.

Security was tight in Athlone, with up to 100 gardaí involved in policing the funeral, which took place at St Mary's Church.

Garda checkpoints were set up on roads leading into Athlone, with uniformed gardaí and members of the armed response unit outside the church.

Pavee Point says there was a need for garda presence at the funeral. However, the Travellers' rights group is questioning the decision to deploy 100 gardaí, including the dog unit, the water unit and the garda helicopter.

Pavee Point's Martin Collins also says closing down shops, pubs and businesses in Athlone for the funeral was completely over the top:

Mr McGinley (63) was attending a family wedding in Newtonbutler in Co Fermanagh last Wednesday when he was shot.

He died from his injuries a short time later.

He is survived by his wife Brigid, nine children and 49 grandchildren.

Fr Simon Cadden, a family friend from Granard, has paid tribute to Mr McGinley.

Fr Turlough Baxter, chief celebrant for the requiem mass, urged those involved in violence to turn away from it.

A second man was also injured during the shooting, but did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

The PSNI and gardaí are working together on the ongoing investigation.