Farewell, Tony
Funeral service for ‘drugs den’ murder victim Dempsey, 28
MURDERED Tony Dempsey was dealt a “devastating blow” by the loss of his sister and mum in the past 18 months of his life, his funeral Mass heard yesterday.
Mourners gathered at St Bernadette’s Church in Crumlin, South Dublin, to pay a final farewell to the 28-year-old.
His body was found in a ground floor “drugs den’’ at Kevin Barry House, Coleraine Street in the capital’s north inner city on September 12.
Dempsey had been beaten to death and gardai believe his body may have laid there for at least a week before it was discovered.
It is the third tragedy to hit the family in 18 months, after Tony’s sister Chloe died in March last year while his mum passed away the following July.
Speaking at his funeral Mass yesterday, the priest said: “Above all, he loved his family. And the recent tragic death of Chloe, we also celebrated her funeral Mass here, came as a terrible blow to Tony. And I remember talking with him and how deeply he was affected by it because they were very close.
“And the passing of his mam would have come as a devastating blow for Tony as well.” The priest told how Tony’s death and the circumstances surrounding it “stunned” and “upset” people. He added: “I’m sure particularly for you, his family and friends, this occasion has an air of unreality about it.
“We can’t really believe or even comprehend what has happened.
“For his family, this event is more a nightmare from which you would hope to wake up from.
“The terrible and tragic nature of Tony’s death leaves us stunned by grief.
“It raises questions that are almost impossible for us to answer. It challenges the very meaning and purpose of our lives.”
Although Tony had a troubled life, the priest said he always could rely on his family.
He added: “It seemed to be two steps back and one step forward. But that’s why family and friends were so important to him and he remained positive with a wonderful dry sense of humour and a glint in his eye that could light up a room.
“And I’m sure each one of you today have your own memories of Tony.”
At the start of the service, a family photo was brought to the altar as was his favourite drink, a Yazoo milkshake.
The third symbol brought up was a pair of trainers to remember him as the “fashionista” he was.
Just before the service ended, a family friend read out some messages on behalf of people Tony knew.
One from his sister Queenie said: “You’re a brother who is irreplaceable.
“You will always be dearly missed. This loss is indescribable. Nothing could have ever prepared Queenie for this. You meant so much to her, you were a brother who was so special.
“She remembers the years you spent together and she treasures those memories forever. You made her laugh, you made her smile. You brought joy and happiness into her life.”
Following the service, Dempsey’s remains were brought to Mount Jerome Cemetery for cremation. His funeral notice read: “Sadly missed by his loving father Micheal, sisters Queenie, Kendall and Ariyah-rae and brothers Eddie and Ross, godfather Tony and grandparents Catherine and Ger, aunts and uncles, cousin, extended family and a large circle of friends.”
A murder probe is continuing. Dublin City Council, who own the premises where Dempsey lost his life, and the Peter Mcverry Trust charity, who managed the flat, are carrying out internal reviews.
The Mcverry Trust had given it to a tenant 18 months ago but had lost control of the flat with dealers and addicts coming and going.
Dempsey was originally from New Road in Inchicore in Dublin and had at least 50 convictions including road traffic offences, theft, drugs, criminal damage and possession of knives and firearms.
A court previously heard he’d come from a deprived background which was described as an “horrifically chaotic” upbringing.
The death of his sister Chloe was a terrible blow to him PRIEST’S EULOGY ST BERNADETTE’S CHURCH