KILLER MARK HENNESSY’S FATHER SPEAKS OF HIS FAMILY’S AGONY
Killer’s father speaks at funeral of living ‘nightmare’
THE father of killer Mark Hennessy yesterday spoke of the ‘nightmare’ his family have been living since his son killed student Jastine Valdez.
The congregation inside the Victorian Chapel at Mount Jerome Crematorium & Cemetery sat in silence as Hennessy’s grief-stricken father spoke of his ‘broken family’ struggling to come to terms with the 40-year-old’s terrible deeds.
As he struggled to address the full chapel, Michael Hennessy’s voice cracked: ‘For the past week I have been waking every morning to see my darling, sweetheart wife broken – broken.’ Moments earlier, as the music of U2’s anthem, One, played, Hennessy’s coffin had been brought into the chapel.
‘You have helped us much more than you know’
His friends and family had clung to each other tightly as they followed behind.
Mr Hennessy told mourners: ‘I look at my sons and my daughters and they’re broken.
‘I look at Mark’s uncles and auntie, cousins, nephews, nieces and his beautiful, beautiful daughters and they’re broken... and I can’t fix them.’
As he spoke, a blonde woman, overcome by tremendous grief, left the chapel sobbing.
Outside the chapel, she hit the stone wall and shouted out in pure shock and sorrow.
Inside Hennessy’s father thanked anyone who had ‘come into this nightmare’ to offer their support.
‘To all of the people who have come here today and to all of the people who have come through our home offering the shake of a hand, a cuddle, peck on the cheek or words of encouragement, thank you for coming into this nightmare to help us because you have helped us so much more than you know.
‘To every single person on this planet who has had a kind thought for us, thank you, thank you.’
Later, a female family member paid tribute to both the Hennessy family and the family of Mark Hennessy’s victim Jastine Valdez.
‘May the thought that you are not alone be a comfort to you in your sorrow and give you strength in the days ahead. ‘I know that Ireland as a nation is praying for the Hennessy and Valdez families every day.’ The mourner paid tribute to the Hennessy family, including Mark’s wife Nicola. ‘Mary, Mick, Nicola, David, Craig, Sarah, Chelsea and Emma, do not be bitter about your loss. Neither be hopeless by frustration or fearful of the future, nor withdrawn or lonely in your grief. May you be heedful of each other’s sadness. Learn to reach out with fresh hope and use the love you felt for Mark to soothe your pain and heal your sorrow.’
She thanked everyone who attended the ceremony, which took place six days after Hennessy was shot dead after kidnapping and brutally killing his young victim.
‘On behalf of the Hennessy family, I thank you most sincerely for your presence here today, especially those who have travelled and who have come to pay your respects to Mark and his family.
‘Your support over the past week has been greatly appreciated.
‘Please do say a prayer for them every day and if you do not know a prayer just say, “God help the Hennessys please.”’
Neil Young’s Heart Of Gold broke the silence in the chapel, as Mark Hennessy’s family and friends said their final goodbye to the father of two.
Outside, hazy sunshine broke through the clouds as the large family and their friends sobbed and hugged as they left the small chapel.