Limerick comes to a standstill for removal of murdered Rosie (78)
ASHOCKED community gathered in their hundreds last night to pay an emotional tribute to murdered pensioner Rosie Hanrahan (78).
Limerick city centre came to a standstill as large crowds gathered in mist and drizzle to pay their respects to the frail widow who was killed in her own Thomondgate cottage last Friday during a suspected botched burglary.
The brutal murder stunned Limerick and has led to national calls for greater resources to be devoted to protecting elderly people living alone.
It is suspected Ms Hanrahan was killed after she surprised a burglar who had targeted her Christmas cash and who believed her cottage was unoccupied at the time.
The crowds who attended Ms Hanrahan’s removal last night demonstrated their support for calls from Limerick civic and church leaders that the community unite to show their revulsion at the brutal and cowardly attack on the pensioner.
Limerick politicians admitted that the attack has now left many elderly people afraid in their own homes over Christmas.
The Mayor of Limerick, Councillor Sean Lynch, a retired garda, said the community had rallied to support the Garda investigation and to help bring the killer or killers to justice.
“There is no hiding place for them,” he said.
TD Willie O’Dea, a friend of Ms Hanrahan, attended the removal and said local people were left “shellshocked” by the horrific crime.
“I would again appeal to the people who are shielding this individual, and there are people who are certainly aware of who is responsible for this heinous crime, to come forward and help the gardaí to see that justice is done,” he told the Irish Independent.
Supt Derek Smart confirmed that gardaí have increased patrols around the Thomondgate and Kileely areas to reassure local residents over Christmas while Age Action urged people to check on elderly neighbours who may be living alone and feeling vulnerable.
“We have set up checkpoints around the area this evening both to help reassure residents and also to remind people that any information, no matter how trivial, could prove vital in our investigation,” Supt Smart said.
Supt Smart paid his respects to the Hanrahan family alongside Det
Inspector Dermot O’Connor. Limerick gardaí said they were “very pleased” with the response to their appeal for public assistance with the murder probe.
Forensic and CCTV security camera footage is now expected to prove crucial in identifying the killer and possible accomplices.
Ms Hanrahan’s remains were removed from Griffin’s Funeral Home off John’s Gate in Limerick to St Munchin’s Church.
Poignantly, the widow never missed Saturday evening Mass in St Munchin’s – and was known among the priests of the parish for sitting in the same seat in the same pew for every Mass.
The remains were received at St Munchin’s by Parish Priest Fr Donal McNamara who had helped comfort her five years ago on the death of her husband, Michael, a fisherman and former Limerick Civic Trust member.
“She had tremendous faith and she was always so upbeat, so appreciative for anything that was ever done for her,” he said.
He acknowledged that many in the proud Thomondgate community were left reeling by the crime and the dark cloud it had cast over the community at what was supposed to be a festive time of year.
The mourners were led by her sisters, Evelyn, Helen, Kathleen and Chrissie.
Mrs Hanrahan will be buried at Ballycannon Cemetery in Meelick after 11.30am Requiem Mass today.
She will be buried beside her beloved husband Michael.