Sadness at death of Liam in Gorey home

A TRAGIC discovery was made at the home of 77-year-old Co Wicklow man in Gorey on Friday night after friends became concerned that he hadn’t been seen in over a week.

Liam O’Connor, a native of Killincarrig, Greystones, who lived in Gorey for around ten years, was found to have died in bed at his home in The Heath, Ramsgate Village.

Customers and staff at Katie Daly’s and the Loch gCarman Arms grew concerned after Liam missed calling in for his regular drink on two Fridays in a row. They contacted gardaí who made enquiries with neighbours who hadn’t seen him in the previous few days, and weren’t aware of him having gone away.

The gardaí also contacted local hospitals to ensure he hadn’t been admitted, before they forced their way into the house.

Mr O’Connor’s remains were removed to Waterford Regional Hospital but the cause of death is not believed to be suspicious.

Michael Gleeson paid tribute to Liam and said he was a gentleman.

‘He was a quiet man who kept to himself, but he loved to chat at the counter with a few locals,’ he said. ‘He loved soccer and was interested in the Champions League and the Europa League, and he loved to wind the other lads up about Irish Water or something.’

His friends say Liam had served in the army and wasn’t married.

‘He was a creature of habit, and he had his routine,’ said Michael. ‘He was generally in on a Friday, and one or two other days during the week.’

He explained that the staff in both pubs contacted each other when they noticed Liam hadn’t been in for a week.

When he missed calling in on two consecutive Fridays, they contacted the gardaí.

Liam was the beloved son of the late William and Kathleen, and much-loved brother of Paul and Marie. He will be sadly missed by his loving brother, sister, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

His Funeral Mass takes place at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Greystones, at 10 a.m. this morning ( Wednesday) with burial afterwards in Redford Cemetery. May he rest in peace.