Grieving mourners gathered in a church in Navan on Sunday night, on the eve of the funeral of Olympic boxer Darren Sutherland, who was found hanged in his London flat almost a week ago.
The fighter, who clinched bronze at the Beijing games, was discovered by his manager Frank Maloney last Monday.
Among those at the short service in St Mary's Church, Navan, were his grieving parents Tony and Linda and sisters Nicole and Shaneika.
Other mourners included Olympic athlete Eamonn Coughlan and Football Association of Ireland chief John Delaney.
Fr Declan Hurley, parish priest, said no words could express the tragic loss felt by Darren's devastated family.
"We sympathise with you on such a terrible loss," he said.
"We cannot find the words to express anything that will be of comfort at this time. And so we pray that our presence here might be a source of comfort and consolation for all of you."
As the coffin was brought from Fitzsimons Funeral Home to the church, a small number of people lined the street.
A framed photo of a beaming Darren with his bronze medal and a painting of him with his nickname 'The Dazzler' written on top rested by the side of the altar in the chapel.
Prayers were offered for his family and mourners paid their respects at the end of the ceremony.
The funeral Mass takes place on Monday morning.
© Press Association