The family of a young north Cork man who took his own life after stabbing a garda were deeply gratified to learn that the garda was thinking of them at such a tragic and difficult time, mourners at the man's funeral heard yesterday.
Fr Éamon Barry told mourners at the funeral of 26-year-old Trevor Clancy that Mr Clancy's parents, Éamon and Bernadette, from Pike Road, Fermoy, had been hugely appreciative of a message of support from Sgt John Liston via his wife, Ann.
"Éamon and Bernadette really appreciated Ann Liston getting in touch with them to tell them that she was thinking of them and so was John. It's the first thing that he wanted to do, to convey that message," said Fr Barry before prayers were said for Sgt Liston's recovery.
Mr Clancy stabbed Sgt Liston as the garda tried to disarm him after the young man was refused entry to the SG1 nightclub on Ashe Quay in Fermoy at about 1.15am on December 30th. It had been noticed at the door that he was carrying two knives.
Sgt Liston was taken to hospital in Cork but attempts by gardaí and Mr Clancy's parents to persuade the young man to hand over the knives proved unsuccessful. He took his own life some 20 minutes later when he put the knives to his chest and pushed himself against a wall.
During the Requiem Mass at a packed St Patrick's Church in Fermoy yesterday, Fr Barry recalled some of the many "beautiful memories" that Mr Clancy's parents and his siblings, Karen and Seán, and other relatives and friends had of him growing up in Fermoy.
Fr Barry recalled that Mr Clancy was the "quiet, easy-going one" in the family. He described how his mother recalled how he used to spend an hour before the mirror spiking his hair before going out with his friends.
Mr Clancy loved playing the guitar at home and had his favourite bands. He was also "handy at cards " and loved to go rowing with Fermoy Rowing Club on the Blackwater.
These varied aspects of Mr Clancy's life were also remembered during the offertory when the gifts included his guitar, cups he won for rowing and boxing, and his pack of cards.
Describing the past few days as "a very, very difficult and tragic time", Fr Barry said the family's great strength had been revealed, as had the great support and solidarity of the local community who had rallied round. He noted that Mr Clancy had in recent times been searching for something in his life and had gone to Lourdes a few months ago.
Fr Barry concluded his homily by suggesting it might be an appropriate tribute to Mr Clancy if people tried to connect with others at a deep level.
"We need people to admit that they are fragile, as each of us is. We need to meet each other at a deeper level than we do most of the time. We need to have one or two people in our lives to whom we can tell our story, to whom we can admit that we are afraid of life in many ways."