Images show large crowds gathering outside the church for the confinement funeral in Cork

Concerns have arisen after large crowds gathered outside a Cork church to pay tribute to two brothers who tragically passed away.

More than 150 people mingled outside the Farranree Church on the north side of the city, while the funeral mass for two members of the Cash family was held inside, despite the coronavirus restrictions that remained in place.

Locals expressed fear for public health as large groups of mourners mingled outside the church with little or no respect for social estrangement, reports Cork Beo.

Mourners were seen shaking hands, hugging each other and standing in groups as the funeral procession made its way to the church.

People seemed to have traveled a few distances to attend the funeral of the two young men, who had died in the United States and had been taken home to rest.

Cars and trucks with records from different counties in Ireland and the United Kingdom were seen parked outside the church.

The courtship, which included two horse-drawn carriages and dozens of vehicles, began at O’Connor’s Funeral Home on Shandon Street before arriving at the church for the 11am funeral mass.

The two men were taken to the Santa Catalina cemetery in Kilcully, on the outskirts of the city, to be buried.

Three members of An Garda Siochana were near the church, directing traffic and monitoring procedures.

Under government restrictions, funeral masses are currently supposed to be limited to immediate family members only.

The number of people attending mass and burial should not exceed 10, according to government guidelines.

An eyewitness said a guard was directing traffic while two others were standing about 100 meters from the church observing the scene but without interfering.

Under government restrictions, funeral masses are currently supposed to be limited to immediate family members only.

The number of people attending mass and burial should not exceed 10 according to government guidelines.

According to the government’s roadmap to reopen the country, places of worship will not be fully opened to the public until July 20.

More people will be allowed to attend funerals during the second phase, which will begin on June 8.

Councilman Ken O’Flynn told CorkBeo that the incident posed a serious health risk to the local community.

“It is a serious lack of judgment on the part of the Gardai who claim they were linked to the family.

“It is very clear from the photographs that have been published on social networks that social distancing was not enacted in any way.

“I think the clergy, the Gardai, funeral directors and Cork City Council have serious questions to answer.

“We are continually leaning back and making exceptions for certain people in society and it is totally unacceptable.”

“We are putting our citizens at risk by accepting this display of the law by certain sectors of society.

“It is no longer acceptable for people to hide behind culture, background, or ethnicity to flaunt the laws.

“This has been a serious risk to the health of people in the north of the city and is not acceptable.”

“I am certainly very disappointed with Gardai’s response and I think Drew Harris and a Dublin investigation team should now step in.”

CorkBeo also contacted the Gardai regarding the large crowds and issued the following statement:

“A Garda Síochána contacted the family prior to the funeral and the guidelines regarding funerals were clearly described.

“No notable incidents were reported or are under investigation.

“A Garda Síochána continues to generally observe excellent public compliance with public health guidelines.

“A Garda Síochána continues to interact with the public in a gradual response to engage, educate, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce the Regulations as part of the Public Health guidelines.”

Pavee Point and Cork Traveler Visibility Group have been contacted for comment.