Founder and former chief executive of Limerick-based international aid charity Bóthar, Peter Ireton, was remembered at his funeral mass held today, as a “man of compassion and integrity” who had “a keen sense of justice”.
The body of the 68-year old was found in the back garden of his home in Castletroy after he died in tragic circumstances on April 19th.
Canon Gerard Garrett, parish priest of Monaleen, told mourners who gathered for the funeral mass, held at St Mary Magdalene Church Castletroy, that Mr Ireton had dedicated the past two decades to Bóthar.
The charity organises and transports livestock by air from Ireland to people struggling in many third world and developing countries.
“While he had other jobs during his working life, the one of longest duration and greatest importance was with Bóthar, he dedicated 24 years of his life to the pursuit of its ends, and, while it was hugely demanding of him, his generous response to those demands had the effect of bettering the lives of countless people in over 36 countries worldwide,” Canon Garrett said.
“Peter was a charismatic, positive, upbeat person, with a keen sense of justice. He delighted in recognising and acknowledging and encouraging the good in others and their achievements; he was a big-hearted, genial host, and wonderful company.”
Work in Africa
Relatives and friends brought gifts symbolising Peter’s life to the altar, including a photo of Mr Ireton and children in Africa showing “the great work he did in Africa and other deprived areas of the world”; a walking stick “to remind us of Peter’s deep interest in walking, he did many charitable walks for Bóthar during his retirement, raising thousands of euros for a charity each year”.
A printed menu “from one of Peter’s famous dinner parties, which he loved to host for his Crescent classmates” was also left at the altar, as was “a book of photographs about Limerick reflecting Peter’s love for his native city”.
Family members wept as they said prayers of the faithful “for Pete and faithful, loving, and much-loved colleagues and friends in Bóthar, who cooperated with him to establish this great life work, in which he invested so much of himself over the decades, and which bore such great fruit in which he took an abiding and deep pride”.
Mourners, listening on speakers outside the church, and online across the world, including his friends in Romania, Spain, Estonia, and England, heard how the former charity boss was “a constant source of surprise and delight and fun” to his nephews and nieces.
Prayers were also said “for all those in different countries who have known, helped, being helped by, and loved Pete, not just for his great work, but for his immense personal qualities which he brought so generously to that work, qualities of concern, compassion, integrity, loyalty, and his never failing optimism and hope-filled humour”.
Vincent Ireton broke down when reciting one of his late brother’s favourite poems — Ode on Solitude, by Alexander Pope, and added: “I’d just like to say Peter was an incredible person, he and his colleagues achieved so much. He was a tremendous friend, uncle, and brother, he’ll be greatly missed.”
Mourners applauded as Mr Ireton’s coffin was shouldered to a waiting hearse as a recoding of The Beatles Let It Be echoed through the sun-drenched setting.
Afterwards, the remains of Mr Ireton, who would have turned 69 last weekend, were brought by hearse to Shannon Crematorium for a private cremation.
