A town has been left ‘in shock’ after a man was stabbed to death as mourners gathered for a funeral in Ireland.

The victim’s wife is understood to have suffered severe injuries in the same violent attack on Wednesday morning.

Large crowds were at Rath Cemetery in Rathass, Tralee for the burial of a woman who had died suddenly two days earlier.

Police rushed to the scene following reports of a fight ‘involving a group of people’.

The man, who was in his 40s, died at the scene before his body was taken to University Hospital Kerry.

The woman, also in her 40s, is receiving treatment in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

A ‘sombre’ mood has been struck in the town, the Mayor of Tralee, Mikey Sheehy said.

‘This type of incident is shocking at any time or anywhere, but obviously the fact that this has happened in the town’s graveyard adds another level to that’, he said.

‘Rath graveyard is the biggest graveyard in Tralee, it’s a place where people go to reflect, it’s where people go to walk, it’s a place where people go to visit a loved one who has passed away.

‘So the fact that such a violent act has taken place here is disturbing and extremely shocking to say the least.’

Tralee councillor Cathal Foley said it was ‘horrendous and barbaric’ that someone had lost their life at a funeral.

‘People here have great affection for the graveyard, and there’s great respect for funerals’, he said.

The scene has been preserved pending a full technical examination.

An investigation has been launched and anyone with information is urged to come forward.

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