Men whose deaths led to probes are laid to rest
THE family of a man who died after an alleged assault laid him to rest yesterday
- and vowed to fight for justice.
The funeral service for Paul “Babs” Connolly in his native Co Offaly also heard the 47-year-old had a heart of gold.
Mr Connolly, who was from Edenderry, died after an alleged assault in Athlone, Co Westmeath early on Sunday morning.
He had earlier been at a stag party in the town.
Two men were charged with violent disorder in connection with Mr Connolly’s death. Unemployed Sean Munnelly (35), of Irishtown, Athlone and hardware store employee David Higgins (18), of St Paul’s Terrace, Athlone, appeared before Mullingar district court on Sunday night.
Mr Munnelly did not apply for bail, while his co-defendant had bail set at €5,000, but has yet to take it up. The pair were remanded in custody to appear via video link at the same court on Thursday.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Craig told Judge Alan Mitchell they made no reply to the charges and it was alleged the deceased was injured during an “unprovoked assault”. The court heard he was knocked unconscious and later died.
Loss
A funeral service for Mr Connolly at St Mary’s Church in Edenderry yesterday afternoon heard that his family have been rocked by his death.
And a relative told mourners: “I know Edenderry and the rest of Ireland are shaken by his sudden loss of life.
“Babs’ life will not be reduced to unpleasant headlines or media soundbites. We as a family will fight for justice.”
Meanwhile, a separate funeral mass was held in north Dublin yesterday morning for a man allegedly murdered in the city earlier this month.
The mass for Sean McCarthy (28), from Ballymun, was held in the local St Joseph’s Church.
Mr McCarthy had been missing since August 2 and his body was found in a property in Drumcondra, north Dublin four days later.
Dean Caffrey (36) of Beau Court,
Achill Road, Dublin 9 was charged with murdering Mr McCarthy.
Mr Caffrey is due in court today.