HELP US NAIL ROSIE’S KILLERS
Hundreds pay tribute to tragic pensioner murdered in her home
THE family of murdered widow Rosie Hanrahan has begged for help to catch her killers.
The 78-year-old was buried yesterday – eight days after she was found dead in her Limerick home. Detectives believe she had been strangled.
Niece Avril told mourners: “Anyone who may know something that might help – no matter how small – please come forward.”
THE grieving family of murdered pensioner Rosie Hanrahan has “begged” for information which will lead to her killer’s arrest.
The 78-year-old was laid to rest yesterday afternoon, eight days after her body was discovered in her home at New Road, Thomondgate, Limerick city.
It’s believed her killer or killers had strangled the much-loved OAP.
In their first direct appeal for information, the family, represented by Rosie’s niece Avril, said: “The gardai have told us how amazingly helpful and forthcoming people have been, however, they need more information.
“So, to anyone who may know something that might help — no matter how small — we beg you to please come forward.”
Speaking from the altar at the funeral in St Munchin’s Church, Avril told the hundreds of mourners gathered how the family’s “heartbreak” has “unified us all in the determination that those responsible for her senseless death will be brought to justice”.
In an emotional tribute she described Rosie as a positive person who lived life to the full.
Avril added: “She was a person who always saw a silver lining even on the greyest day.”
Ending her poignant eulogy, she turned to her aunt’s coffin and cried: “We will miss you always Rosie and we will always have you in our hearts.”
Parish priest Fr Donal Mcnamara said Rosie’s life was ended “brutally” as she was “relaxing in her home preparing for Christmas”.
He added her death was “unfair, cruel and mind-boggling”.
Fr Mcnamara said no words would “soften the blow or ease the pain” for Rosie’s family and friends and the nature of the pensioner’s death had shocked Limerick.
He added: “A trail of destruction has been left behind, for family, neighbours, and indeed the entire city, which has left a shadow hanging over it again.”
Fr Mcnamara, who knew Rosie well, described her as “a gift” to anyone who met her.
She was “a fun-loving, helpful, generous lady”, he added.
Visibly upset, Fr Mcnamara said: “What a way for a family to begin the celebration of Christmas.” Rosie was due to spend Christmas Day in her home with her sister Helen and was to cook them a festive dinner. Helen and her other sister Evelyn – who found Rosie’s body – draped her oak coffin before Rosie’s nieces and nephews put symbols of her life by the church altar. They left rosary beads and a prayer book representing her Catholic faith, a hat and necklace to show Rosie’s love of fashion, a bingo book represented her love of social interaction, an opera CD was a symbol of her love of music, and a wrapped gift represented Rosie’s “profoundly generous nature and kindness”.
Fr Mcnamara said Rosie had been actively preparing for Christmas when she was murdered.
He added: “She had many things to do, places to go. Her home was all ready for Christmas; her gifts wrapped and packed, because she loved giving.”
He described how in Rosie’s neighbourhood on the city’s north side few are feeling festive as they try to come to terms with the knowledge the killer remains at large.
Echoing the family’s appeal for information, Fr Mcnamara said: “There are obviously people who know something and can possibly assist the police in their investigation, if so, in the name of God, come forward and ease the pain and anxiety of Rosie’s family.
“For many this brutal killing is a stark reminder of the dark days that Limerick thought it had left behind.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda station on 061-212400, or Mayorstone Garda station on 061-456980, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111.
A trail of destruction has been left behind for the family and the entire city
FR DONAL MCNAMARA AT ROSIE’S FUNERAL YESTERDAY