Father Joe Walsh's sister said last night her heart went out to Brendan
O'Donnell's family, even though many would be relieved at the triple killer's death. Mrs Margaret Maher said she knew many people in the Clare and Galway area who lived in fear of O'Donnell's release. "They felt that he would target them even if he got out of prison in 20 or 30 years time. I am relieved that he will never be able to harm anyone again," she said.
The mother of four said she was shocked at the news of his death. "But for the first time in his life he is now at peace." Mrs Maher said her heart went out to his family, whose pain was as deep as that felt by the Walsh family following the murder of the Eyrescourt curate.
"I wish I could be there for them right now," she said. "I wish I could go to the funeral but I do not think it would be right to intrude on their grief. It makes you wonder what his life is all about. . ."
Mrs Maher said O'Donnell's death had brought back the nightmare of the events in Mountshannon.
"I just spent the day crying. It felt like being back in Mountshannon and being at the trial again. It is not like you can get up one day and forget that all of this has happened. For as long as I live I will remember what he did.
"But at least we have wonderful warm memories of Father Joe. Brendan
O'Donnell's family do not have that."
She met with Brendan O'Donnell's grandmother, Mrs Mary Quinn, earlier this year. O'Donnell's grandfather died in February. "His grandmother is an extremely warm, lovely person. She was in turmoil about what he did and spoke lovingly about Father Joe and what he meant to her. I have great sympathy for her now that something like this has happened."