Murdered pensioner Rosie buried as family beg for help to find killer
THE family of murdered pensioner Rosie Hanrahan begged for information which would lead to her killer’s arrest as the Limerick lady was laid to rest yesterday.
The 78-year-old was buried beside her late husband Michael, eight days after family members had discovered her body in her home at New Road, Thomondgate.
Gardaí have not commented on reports that Rosie was tied up, beaten and strangled by her killer during a burglary at her terraced home.
In their first direct appeal for information, Rosie’s family called on those with information about the murder to make it known to gardaí.
Speaking at the Requiem Mass at St Munchin’s Church, Rosie’s niece, Avril, told mourners: ‘The gardaí have told us how amazingly helpful and forthcoming people have been. However, they need more information. So anyone who may know something that might help – no matter how small – we beg you to please come forward.’ She also told the hundreds of mourners that the family’s ‘heartbreak’ had ‘unified us all in the determination that those responsible for her senseless death will be brought to justice’. Avril described Rosie as ‘a person who always saw a silver lining, even on the greyest day’. Ending her poignant tribute, she turned to her aunt’s coffin and said: ‘We will miss you always, Rosie, and we will always have you in our hearts.’ Parish priest Fr Donal McNamara told mourners: ‘What a way for a family to begin the celebration of Christmas,’ adding that Rosie had been due to cook Christmas dinner in her home for herself and her sister Helen before visiting other family.
Rosie, he said, was actively preparing for Christmas. ‘Her home was all ready for Christmas, her gifts wrapped and packed, because she loved giving.’
Fr McNamara continued: ‘There are obviously people who know something and can assist the gardaí in their investigation. Come forward and ease the pain and anxiety of Rosie’s family and the neighbourhood.’
He added: ‘In this tight-knit community, many have taken down their Christmas lights, or simply not turned them on as a mark of respect to the kind-hearted pensioner who was brutally murdered in her own home, in their neighbourhood.
‘For many, this brutal killing is a stark reminder of the dark days that Limerick thought it had left behind.’
The metropolitan district mayor of Limerick, City, Seán Lynch, a former garda detective, appealed for those with information to ‘pass it on’, adding: ‘The culprit or culprits need to be taken off the streets. There is no place in our society for these individuals.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212400 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.