Father of 3 falls to his death from tower block

A father of three who fell to his death from the fifth floor of a Ballymun tower block early yesterday was the eldest son of a Dublin Sinn Fein councillor, Mr Larry O'Toole. Both men had been injured during a gun attack at a First Communion service in Ballymun last year.

The Garda said yesterday no foul play was suspected in the death of Mr Larry O'Toole jnr (31) who fell from the fifth floor of the Balcurris Road tower block where he lived with his partner and four children, two boys and two girls, aged up to 11 years.

The accident happened around 4.40 a.m. Mr O'Toole snr said yesterday it appeared his son planned to take the dog out and must have slipped while leaning over the balcony. His partner, Catherine Joyce, had heard him calling for help. She went out and tried to save Mr O'Toole but he fell to his death.

Mr O'Toole snr said he and the entire family were "shattered" by his son's death. They were informed of the tragedy by local gardai about 5.30 a.m. and had had many calls and messages of support throughout the day.

"It's been a tragic year," he said. "Lar would have been 32 on Christmas Day."

In May 1998 Mr O'Toole jnr sustained gunshot injuries to the chest and head when he chased a gunman from St Joseph's Church in Ballyfermot after the man opened fire on Larry O'Toole snr during a First Communion service. The Sinn Fein councillor was shot in the lower back.

Lar O'Toole's daughter, Laura, then aged eight, was making her First Communion that day. She was one of 60 children who witnessed the shooting.

A neighbour of Lar O'Toole - Peter McCann (32), of Balcurris Road, Ballymun - was subsequently jailed for 15 years for the attempted murder of Larry O'Toole snr on May 16th, 1998, and other offences associated with the shooting.

Mr Justice Carney said the church shooting was an "appalling crime" against the O'Tooles and against children.

The remains of Lar O'Toole will be taken to Darndale Church on Monday at 5.30 p.m. and will be interred in Fingal Cemetery after 10 a.m. Mass on Tuesday.