Crowds turn out for funeral of Fairview assault victim

HUNDREDS OF people stood in heavy rain yesterday for the funeral service of an apprentice plumber who was punched and kicked to death during a night out.

Barry Walsh (22) from Park Lawn, Castleknock, was attacked after being chased from outside a takeaway to the outskirts of Fairview Park in north Dublin.

Mr Walsh had earlier been to the Barcode nightclub on the Clontarf Road.

The attack happened in the early hours of Sunday, October 11th, and Mr Walsh died in Beaumont Hospital four days later.

His life was remembered at the funeral Mass at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Laurel Lodge, Castleknock.

The church was full and the overspill huddled in the courtyard area outside as the rain came down.

A hurley marking his membership of St Bridget’s GAA club in Castleknock, his motor bike helmet and a model of the New York skyline, representing his love of travel, were among the mementos brought to the altar.

Along with his brother, the chief mourners were his parents Bernard and Ena, his grandfather Mortimer Kelleher and his girlfriend Louise.

Chief celebrant Fr Brian Lennon SJ thanked all those who had helped the family after Mr Walsh’s traumatic death and added that they did not want to name names for fear of leaving anybody out.

He thanked friends, neighbours, the local priests, the staff in the Mater and Beaumont hospitals where he was treated, and the gardaí.

Detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Walsh’s death.

The chief suspect in the case went to Clontarf Garda station with his father voluntarily after news of Mr Walsh’s death became public.

He was questioned and released. Nobody has been charged in connection with the victim’s death.