The Limerick Leader has made its Web site the “focal point for entire community's grieving,” after the tragic shooting death of Shane Geoghegan over the weekend. The Irish newspaper's iAnnounce page for the 28-year-old has received more than 17,600 visitors in 36 hours, more than 8,500 “virtual candles” have been lit and 2,000 messages of condolence have been written by readers, Journalism.co.uk reported Wednesday.

iAnnounce is used by newspapers in Trinity Mirror, Newsquest and Johnston Press groups, and is designed to be a social networking tool for newspaper birth, death, marriage, weddings and birthday announcements, among others.

Newspapers are increasingly aiming to become portals for their communities, to better serve local readers.

“It is a sign of the Internet age that (readers) have turned to online messaging to express their shock and sorrow at what has happened,” said Alex Stitt, managing director of iAnnounce, in a press release, Journalism.co.uk reported.

The Johnston Press-owned Limerick Leader's iAnnounce page lists notices by type, such as “In Memoriam” and “Weddings,” as well as featured notices. The iAnnounce page also contains advertising.

The Limerick Leader's main story on Geoghegan's death also links to the iAnnounce page. Geoghegan was the captain of rugby team Garryowen.