Mother tells of ‘huge void’ over son killed in stabbing attack

THE mother of tragic young fisherman Jack Power, who died after a stabbing attack, has told how the loss of her energetic and fun-loving son has left ‘a huge void’.

Hundreds of mourners gathered yesterday in Our Lady’s Church in Carbally, Co. Waterford, and on the roads and hillsides outside, for the funeral of the 25-year-old who was killed on Thursday.

A fisherman like his father and grandfather, Jack Power, who grew up in Brownstown, on the Waterford coast, just a kilometre from the hillside church, lived life to the full, was a loyal son, brother and friend and packed much into his too-short life, the funeral congregation was told.

‘He worked hard and played hard, was very witty and loved the craic,’ his heartbroken mother Loretta said.

And she brought a moment of laughter to the sobbing mourners when she remembered his love for the sea, telling them: ‘In his Leaving Cert Irish paper, his answer was, “I don’t know anything about Irish but I’m some man to haul nets.”’

She added: ‘Loyalty was important to him, one of his best qualities.

‘Jack has a lot of friends, and they all know who they are today, and will miss him very much.’

She told the congregation: ‘We all have memories of Jack and he will always be remembered.’

He has left behind his parents Loretta and Richard, brothers Ben and Lee and other family members.

Symbols of Jack’s life brought to the church at the beginning of the Mass included a fishing needle to mend the nets, a sign for Tottenham Hotspur’s home ground White Hart Lane, a set of darts and a memoir of boxer Mohammed Ali, reflecting his love of sports.

Jack died in University Hospital Waterford on Thursday after he was stabbed on the Shanakiel estate in Dunmore East.

A 17-year-old who was arrested that morning was released without charge early on Friday.