Hundreds gather for funeral of Kenneth O'Brien whose body parts were found in Co Kildare canal

Hundreds of mourners  assembled at St Matthew’s Church in Ballyfermot for the funeral of Kenneth O’Brien.

Two symbols of the tragic JCB driver were brought to the altar by his partner and son - a photo of Charlie in his dad’s digger and a baseball cap.

A simple floral tribute to ‘dad’ and a bouquet in the shape of a digger were also laid out in honour of Mr O'Brien.

“He had a love for cars and bikes and anything electronic,” Fr  Joseph McDonald told the hundreds of mourners in the church.

“He had a great thirst for learning, for knowledge, to know more.

“His skills were beyond his years.

“The importance of today is to give him the dignity and honour he deserves.”

The dismembered remains of the 33-year-old father of one were found dumped in the Grand Canal just over two weeks ago.

O’Brien’s torso was found in a suitcase in the canal at Ardclough, Kildare on 16 January.

A head and and limbs were later recovered at the Grand Canal at Sallins, while a power tool used to dismember the body was discovered at the Royal Canal in Maynooth.

The funeral mass began at 11.30 this morning. He will then be laid to rest at Newlands Cross Cemetery.

O’Brien is survived by his partner Eimear, his son Charlie, his parents Gerry and Susan and his siblings Lee and Janine.