Grandson charged with Labane murder

Date Published: 19-Nov-2009

The parish priest of Ardrahan urged parishioners to draw from their faith to feel concern for the grandson accused of murdering his grandfather last week.

It was a wet and cold winter’s day when Finbar Fahy was laid to rest on Tuesday afternoon, mirroring the miserable death he met almost a week earlier.

At least 700 attended the funeral Mass of the murdered pensioner at St Teresa’s Church, Labane, the same day a memorial Mass for his late wife, Ciss (Celia), was due to be held.

The atmosphere in the Church was sombre as the tragedy that had befallen the tiny farming community really sunk in.

The 78-year-old was later buried in Labane Cemetery alongside Ciss, a local national school teacher who died twelve years ago this month aged 65.

The retired farmer was found dead by a family member in the living room of his house at Tullira on the N18 road between Ardrahan and Gort, at 8am on Wednesday morning.

His grandson, Gearoid Fahy has been charged with his murder after a post mortem examination revealed he had died of head injuries as a result of a blunt-force trauma.

The chief celebrant at the Mass, parish priest Fr Richie Higgins, said he had chosen the gospel of the scene after Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday because it was when darkness covered the earth.

“Tragic death, which is always sudden, is like a blackout, One minute, the light is shining, next minute it is a dark night with no chance to prepare ourselves for the panic and fear that comes when we are plunged into darkness.

“In the space of a minute our whole world is turned upside down. Nothing could prepare us for something like this, or save us from its devastating effects. We are shocked and cannot reason with ourselves. That is what Finbar’s death did to all of us,” he said in his moving homily.

Fr Higgins said it was a sad day for the community and parish. “We have feelings in our hearts for Finbar’s family as a result of his tragic death. Fie will draw from our faith the compassion of Christ to support the family.”

He added: “We will draw from it the love, forgiveness, the human concern to help Gearoid. He too is in our prayers and thoughts today. He has expressed sorrow for what he has done. he has expressed sorrow for the hurt he caused.

“Our mourning of Finbar and our way of dealing with this in love and peace can promote respect for life. In that way, we can improve the lives of others in our community and parish.”

Fr Higgins described his friend was a well-known character. “In later years he could be identified with his bicycle, very witty, a great story-teller, a great neighbour, a fluent Irish speaker that naturally he inherited from his mother who taught in Labane School.”

The sudden death of Ciss had brought great sadness to his life and he rarely missed a day without a visit to her grave and blessing it with holy water.

“He was too a man of great faith that he practised in his life. His Mass, his prayers, his Rosary meant a great deal to him. The little grotto over the door of his home is a landmark for passersby.”

Mr Fahy’s very distinctive house opposite the entrance to Tullira Castle, which was known to all the locals as it had a glowing statue of the Blessed Virgin over the front door, was now vacant, “his presence no longer there”.

But the priest urged people not to judge life by the way it ends.

“The life that Finbar lived is more important than the way he died,” he remarked.

“Today we lay him to rest beside her (Ciss) and pray that they both are at peace and rest.”

He finished the homily by extending the sympathies of the entire community to the family, his sons Gerry, Aidan and Noel, his brothers Finian, Cummian and Sr Ide, his sister, a Mercy nun.

Gearoid Fahy, of Carrownamona, Ardrahan, was charged on Saturday night with his murder at a special sitting of Ennis District Court.

Detective Inspector Gerry Roche of Galway Garda station gave evidence of arresting the unemployed man on Saturday and later charging him with the murder of his grandad.

Inspector Roche said that, in reply, the accused man had said: "I am just sorry for what I have done and I am sorry for the people I have hurt."

His legal aid solicitor Angela Dempsey said that she was not applying for bail, but requested that the 22-year-old be examined by a doctor while in prison.

Ms Dempsey said he was on continuing medication and was being seen by a doctor in Gort.

Judge Joseph Mangan remanded him in custody to appear before Shannon District Court in Ennis today.