Fr Tony Ryan says the government must not to let the death of the 62-year-old from Toomaline, Doon, who died last Thursday, be in vain.
Mourners gathered at St Patrick's Church in Doon, heard Parish Priest Fr Tony Ryan say it was a day that came too soon stating that everybody was saddened and upset at his “tragic, unexpected and sudden death” describing him as a “quiet, inoffensive and unobtrusive gentleman”
Fr Ryan added that John “didn’t deserve for his life to end on Thursday afternoon, under those awful circumstances as he collapsed in shock and died, despite the best efforts of paramedics, friends and neighbours”
The 62-year-old collapsed and died of a heart attack shortly after discovering his house was being burgled last Thursday.
A book, a hammer and an offcut of timber, symbolising the passions of John's life were presented during the funeral ceremony.
Fr Ryan also heard of the need for rural people to look out for each other and that the death of Mr Ryan will not be in vain as it raised a national awareness of the fear elderly people experience in rural communities.
He called on the government to increase policing in rural Ireland
