Kiskeam’s tribute for bookmaker raid hero and goalie, Denis
MEMBERS of Kiskeam GAA provided a guard of honour as the remains of ‘a great Kiskeam man’, Denis O’Connor, were laid to rest in the Duhallow village yesterday.
Denis, 85, was the pensioner who took on three armed raiders who attempted to hold up a bookmaker’s shop in Glanmire two years ago. CCTV footage of his exploits on that day went viral and Denis, who lived in Cork but was always proud of his Kiskeam and Duhallow roots, became an internet sensation.
Denis was in the shop when the gang-ofthree entered. Two of the raiders were carrying hammers while the third man was holding what appeared to be a shotgun. There were two other customers in the pub at the time, but it was Denis who helped the store manager to overcome the raiders.
Survived by his wife, Tess, Denis died unexpectedly this week and was laid to rest in his native Kiskeam. When his remains arrived in Kiskeam, members of the local community lined the street, and the GAA club members provided a guard of honour between the church and the graveyard.
“Denis was a great Kiskeam man and his family, who are locally known as the ‘Jack Dens’, are very popular locally,” said local Fianna Fáil councillor Bernard Moynihan.
“Denis played in goals for Kiskeam before he went to live in Cork where he worked as a builder,” he added. “Two of his brothers, John Joe and Tim Joe, both played on the Kiskeam team which won the Junior County Championship in 1964.”
Denis is survived by his brother, John Joe. He is predeceased by his two sisters, Beatrice and Sheila May; and two brothers, Tim Joe and Christy.