Tributes after Ruby's owner Francie Boyle is tragically found dead in his Cappagh shop

A moving tribute has been paid to the “kind man” in an obituary for the stalwart republican on the 1916 Societies website.

Described as “a man amongst men”, the post said Ruby death’s “has brought great sadness to our community”.

“The stories this man took to the grave with him will never be known or told,” it went on.

“This was a man who stood up and was prepared to be counted when times were hard in Cappagh.

“As one man said, ‘I hear Cappagh is in mourning’.”

It has also been reported that a flag in the village fluttered at half mast as Ruby was carried from “wee shop to his final resting place” at Galbally graveyard, after his death on December 14.

“Many people were helped by this kind man who never turned anyone away... Many a box of groceries he was willing give to people in need.

Ruby was shot and injured in January 1972, in a loyalist attack on his bar, in which local man Dinny Hughes was killed.

And his sandwiches were said to be famous.

“Ruby will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by us all,” the tribute went on.

“We offer our sympathies to his family. We will remember him with dignity and respect. This is one of those men who will live on in the memories and stories of the people of Tyrone for a long, long time.

“The years ahead will be lighter of laughter and lager, of a drop of the clear stuff and the crack without Ruby.”