Sword attack victim was a ‘lovable rogue’ and a ‘friend to so many’
A FATHER of two who died in an alleged sword attack was remembered at his funeral as being a ‘magnet’ for people because of his warm nature and sense of humour.
Ian Baitson was baptised during the Easter Vigil at St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh, Co. Cork, 33 years ago this week.
He was attacked almost two weeks ago, shortly before 9pm on March 15, in a car park on the Newtown Road in Cobh. He died four days later in hospital.
Dylan Scannell, 30, of O’Rahilly Street in Cobh, has been charged with Ian’s murder and was remanded in custody.
Ian’s brother, Richard, told a large gathering of mourners at the 1pm funeral Mass that Ian had left an indelible mark on all those who had known him.
‘We have all have many fantastic memories and stories of him. He was a lovable rogue.’
Richard said that the family would forever be in the debt of all those who had rallied to help them since the tragedy.
‘My mam and I just wanted to take this opportunity to express our undying gratitude to everyone who has helped us navigate through this devastating situation.
‘From the people who exhausted themselves to save the life of Ian, to the police and paramedics, the staff at the Emergency Department (at CUH), all the teams of surgeons who were working on Ian and the amazing people in the ICU at Cork University Hospital. Ye all did absolutely everything ye could and ye allowed Ian’s friends and family to spend four days with him by his bedside to talk to him, to support each other and to say our goodbyes. You gave us the gift of time. Thank you,’ Richard said.
He also thanked all those who had visited the family and brought them ‘teabags and cards’ over recent days.
Offertory gifts included a photo album containing pictures of Ian with his son Myles while his young daughter Zoe, who also read a reflection, carried a sloth teddy to the altar.
Other gifts included Ian’s chef’s hat, a recipe book and a running bib. Ian was due to complete a marathon this year.
Celebrant Fr Tom McDermott said that there was ‘hope and love’ in Cobh this week even amid grief and pain.
He noted that Holy Week ‘stands like a bookend at either end of the life of Ian Baitson’.
He said: ‘His story marked by Holy Week. His story you know well. You have been sharing it these last few days. Son of Helen and the late Paul, brother to Richard, loving dad to Zoe and Myles. Friend to so many.
‘How many of you have spoken about that smile. That heart of gold. That magnet he was for people. A chat for everyone he met. The smiles and the laughter and that great humour he had. Every party a better one because he was there.
‘Helen, you remember well that Saturday night 33 years ago this weekend that he was marked here with the sign of the Holy Cross,’ he recalled.
‘The best way to celebrate and to remember Ian is to choose to bring light into the darkness of the world. To be a community of love and faith and hope.’
‘The smiles and the laughter’