The family of Mr Anthony Higgins who was shot dead in Saudi Arabia yesterday are unsure about when his remains will be returned to Ireland.
Ms Rita Ann Higgins said the family had been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh, where Mr Higgins was working when two gunmen burst into his office and shot him dead yesterday.
"As of yet we have no definite information as to when Tony's remains will be returned to us," Ms Higgins said.
Mr Higgins had worked in Saudi Arabia for 25 years and had flown home at two-month intervals. He was due to return to Ireland in three weeks.
"This is a tragedy that will haunt us for the rest of our lives," Ms Higgins said.
"We ask you [the media] on behalf of Tony's wife Joan and family to allow us the dignity to grieve in private."
A former Mayor of Galway, Ms Terry O'Flaherty, said she had known Mr Higgins and his extended family very well. "I found him a very eloquent person and always a gentlemen. It's a tragedy and I feel very sad over it," she said.
Mervue parish priest Father Willie Cummins expressed sympathy to the Higgins family, who he said were well-known and well-respected in the local area. "It's a terrible tragedy for the whole family, especially when it happened so far away from home.
"Tony should have been looking forward to a long and happy retirement but instead he was the victim of this terrible attack."
Galway Labour TD Mr Michael D Higgins also expressed sympathy to Tony Higgins's family. "It is a horrific event and it is quite mindless. It's just tragic that someone who was in the evening of his life and should be looking forward to his retirement had to die in this way."