The Bishop of Cloyne, Dr John Magee, has sent a Christmas message to the families of the schoolboy Robert Holohan and the man responsible for his death, Wayne O'Donoghue.
The decision was made to send a letter to Mark and Majella Holohan and to Ray and Therese O'Donoghue as a mark of support from the diocese.
Bishop Magee said yesterday that his thoughts were with both families as he understood that Christmas and the New Year would be a very difficult time for them. Robert Holohan's remains were discovered on January 12th last in a ditch at Inch Strand eight days after his body had been placed there by Wayne O'Donoghue. He died of asphyxiation.
Wayne O'Donoghue (21) was found not guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury in Cork of the murder of Robert Holohan. He had previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his young neighbour.
The former Cork Institute of Technology student will be sentenced by Mr Justice Paul Carney at the next Central Criminal Court sitting in Ennis on January 24th.
On January 4th a special memorial service will be held in Midleton to mark the first anniversary of Robert Holohan's death.