Katie: I’m glad my dad Pete is okay but we are estranged
I would like to wish my most heartfelt condolences to the family of Bobby Messett,’ says boxing champion
BOXING champion Katie Taylor said that she has been estranged from her father for three years now but passed on sympathy to him following a fatal shooting at his gym this week.
The shooting left one man dead and two others injured, including Katie’s father Pete.
In the statement released to the Irish Times, the Olympic and world champion revealed she is estranged from her one-time coach father and the pair have not spoken in three years.
She also expressed deep condolences to the family of Bobby Messett, who was killed in the tragedy, and pleaded with the media to disassociate her from the incident.
‘First and foremost, I would like to wish my most heartfelt condolences to the family of Bobby Messett for their tragic loss,’ she said.
‘I can’t imagine the despair or the sense of injustice they must be dealing with. I’m praying they know God’s comfort in the hard days ahead.
‘For my Dad, I’m very thankful and relieved he made it through this horrific attack and is recovering well. I understand there is still a lot of uncertainty about the nature of the incident but I’m hoping the gardaí will get to the bottom of it very soon,’ she said.
‘As many of you know, I have been somewhat estranged from my Dad for a number of years now. I’ve had little contact with him in the last three years and no contact or association whatsoever with Bray Boxa ing Club since 2015.
‘I have been appalled by the misuse of my name and image during the reporting of this incident in the media coverage, it has been reckless and irresponsible, and a deliberate attempt to inappropriately leverage my name to sell a story.
‘I urge the media to leave me, my mum and other family members out of this story.
‘Finally, to Bobby’s family: You didn’t deserve this heartache, I’m so sorry for your loss.’
Shortly before 7am on Tuesday, masked gunman stormed the Bray Boxing Club in Co. Wicklow, and opened fire indiscriminately, killing boxing and cycling enthusiast Bobby Messett.
The father of three and grandfather, aged 50, was not involved in criminality and was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’.
Gardaí are yet to find the gunman who opened fire as 20 people were waiting to start a fitness class.
Pete Taylor, 57, survived despite being shot in the arm – with the bullet travelling to his chest.
He was the intended target, say gardaí. He is not involved in criminality. Detectives suspect he was targeted by criminals involved in the drugs trade.
Mr Messett is to be laid to rest today at 11.30am in St Mochonog’s Church in Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow.
Another man, Ian Britton, from Bray, was shot in the leg. He also has no involvement in criminality.
Mr Taylor’s family and friends visited him in hospital yesterday. His girlfriend, Karen Brown, spent several hours with him. Mr Taylor was interviewed at his hospital bedside by gardaí.
His estranged wife Bridget spoke on Wednesday and expressed her family’s sense of shock over the shooting.
‘We’re glad he’s going to be okay, and we all love him,’ she said.
Mrs Taylor said that their hearts go out to the family of the dead man, Mr Messett.
‘I can’t imagine what they are going through.
‘We are finding it hard enough here today but it is so much worse for his family, our hearts go out to them,’ she said.
She could think of no reason why anyone in the gym would be targeted.
‘I have no idea. We’re all shocked,’ she said.
Mrs Taylor said she had no idea why the gym would be targeted. ‘We don’t know anything yet. We are all very distressed,’ she said.
‘I’m relieved my dad made it through’