Prayers for accused as grandfather buried
Tributes to 'noble and generous' pensioner
Wednesday November 18 2009
PRAYERS were said yesterday at a funeral Mass for a 22-year-old man accused of murdering his grandfather.
Neighbours and friends turned out in large numbers to pay their respects to retired farmer Fionnbarr Fahy (78) at St Teresa's Church, in Labane, Co Galway.
His body was discovered a week ago on the floor of the living room of his farmhouse home at Ballinduff, just a few hundred yards away.
His grandson Gearoid Fahy, from Carrownamona, Ardrahan, was charged at the weekend with his murder. He was remanded in custody and will appear again in court in Ennis tomorrow.
Local parish priest Fr Richie Higgins described the events of the past week as traumatic for the local community, and particularly for Fionnbarr Fahy's family. The death of such a noble gentleman had shocked the community, while their thoughts were also with Gearoid Fahy, he said.
"It is a sad day for our community and our parish. We will draw from our faith to support the family."
He said they should also draw from it love and human concern for Gearoid.
"He too is in our prayers and thoughts today," he added.
He told the congregation of a letter he had received from a man living in Limerick who did not know Fionnbarr, but who recognised the house from television footage.
The Fahy home was recognisable to thousands of commuters on the main Galway-Limerick road, as there was always a lit statue of the Blessed Virgin over the front door. The letter-writer recalled that Fionnbarr had come to his rescue 15 years ago when his car had run out of petrol. He had helped him out of his difficulty without any fuss.
"And that was the sort of generous man that Fionnbarr was and who we will miss," said Fr Higgins.
The offertory gifts taken to the altar were holy water, which Fionnbarr sprinkled on everyone who came through his door, and a book on birdlife.
Afterwards, Mr Fahy was taken across the road to Labane cemetery for burial alongside his wife, Ciss, who died 12 years ago. Mr Fahy is survived by his sons, Gerard, Aidan and Noel, brothers Finian and Cuimin and sister, Sr Ide.
- Brian McDonald
Irish Independent
