THE DAUGHTER of murdered publican and schoolteacher John Kenny paid him a moving tribute at his funeral at the weekend, describing him as her “best friend”.
Gillian Kenny told hundreds of mourners at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Oughterard, Co Galway, on Saturday that her father was an inspiration. She had found her father’s body in the family pub last week.
Ms Kenny had become concerned for his wellbeing and called to the pub in Oughterard to check on him when she made the shocking discovery. Her father had run the pub on a part-time basis.
She and her father taught at Presentation College, Athenry, and teachers from the school were among the hundreds who attended his funeral.
“I want to pay tribute to my Dad, my best friend and my strength. I could tell you forever how I loved you more than the whole world, but I hate talking in front of people just like you,” Ms Kenny said.
“What makes me smile now is my memory of you, me and Mam telling each other stuff that happened during the day. I am so proud of the love and the friendship that you shared until the very end and we will continue to share until the three of us are back together again. To the guards. . . They gave Dad back the dignity and respect that was taken from him in the early hours of last Sunday morning,” she said.
Garda Jim Kenny, a brother, paid tribute to his colleagues in An Garda Síochána who, he said, were a tower of strength in the past week. “Let’s stand together, our lives as one for the common good,” he said.
Mr Kenny also urged the national and local media to continue to highlight dreadful events such as the murder of his brother.
“To the media, keep the business of life as a priority and keep the pressure on stories and terrible tragedies like this one that happened to John. Be it crime or injustice of any kind, please shine a light on the darkness and light up the good in life.”
The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Jimmy Walsh, parish priest of Oughterard, who said the community was in a state of shock.
“It is important too that we remember in our prayers An Garda Síochána. It is difficult on them as well. They have an extremely professional job to do and we wish them the very best with it.
“I have become very aware since last Sunday that words can lose context or seem totally inadequate. What brings us together. . . is the common bond that we are all struggling without answers.”
Fr Charlie McDonnell from Westport, who worked alongside Mr Kenny in the Presentation College, Athenry, also paid tribute to the popular teacher.
Mr Kenny was buried in the parish graveyard. He is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughter Gillian, brothers Aidan and Jim, sisters Emer and Mary and extended family.