A GUITAR placed before the coffin of Robert Stringer symbolised the young charity worker’s interest in music as well as his popularity, his funeral Mass was told yesterday.
Mr Stringer (26) was killed in an apparent mugging while on a break in Zanzibar, an island about 40km from the coast of Tanzania, on August 7th.
Addressing an attendance of about 1,000, many of whom were listening through loudspeakers set up in the grounds of Kilquade church in Co Wicklow, parish priest Fr Liam Belton said the community was “devastated by what has happened, Rob’s untimely death”.
Fr Belton welcomed the large congregation led by principal mourners Mr Stringer’s parents, Keith and Josephine, and his brothers, Graham and Peter, as well as their extended family.
He also extended a particular welcome to many young people who attended the small rural church. He asked those who worked with Irish charity Camara recycling computers and teaching information technology in Africa, to continue their work and “not be afraid”.
He urged them to “keep up the good work that you do. To do it in Rob’s memory would be very important. The charity work must go on, the world needs people like Rob who are able to give with a generous heart, a generous spirit”.
Fr Belton offered the sympathy of the entire community to the family.
He recalled that “Rob” had been a server in the church where his funeral was being held, and that he and his mother had come to the church to pray before he had set off on his charity work.
Mr Stringer had been “a true humanitarian” and had been working for the benefit of others when he was killed, said Fr Belton.
In a reference to the recent killings of young people and injuries to two others in Bray, Co Wicklow, and elsewhere, Fr Belton said deaths of young people “near and far” had caused hearts to ache for answers. He urged the congregation to remember the importance of reconciliation and pray for peacemakers.
Police in Tanzania have said a man has been arrested in connection with Mr Stringer’s death.
