Wife seeks prayers for family of charged man

THE wife of a prominent member of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, who was shot dead early last Sunday morning, yesterday asked for prayers to be said for the family of the man who has been charged with his murder.

Mary Mahon made the request as at the Requiem Mass in Fermoy, Co Cork, for IABA vice-president John Mahon.

The 60-year-old’s coffin was adorned with a number of pictures, including one of himself and Mohammed Ali.

A pair of boxing gloves also lay on top, which were signed by several young members of his local boxing club. Some wrote messages saying “We’ll keep winning for you” and “You were simply the best”.

Hundreds of mourners packed St Patrick’s Church, some of whom had travelled from as far away as Belfast.

The IABA was represented by its national president, Dominic O’Rourke, and national secretary Sean Crowley.

There were representatives from scores of boxing clubs around Ireland who had come to pay their last respects to the man who had trained 22 Irish senior champions.

UN veterans who had served with the former soldier in Cyprus also attended.

Ms Mahon, who was separated from her husband for a number of years but who was on very good terms with him, said she was touched by the number of people who had offered their sympathy.

“It’s very enriching that they thought so much of John,” Ms Mahon said.

She was accompanied to the funeral by her children Caroline, Dermot, Brian, John Jr and Kevin. Also present were Mr Mahon’s nine grandchildren, some of whom brought gifts of a road bowl, boxing gloves and a fishing rod to the altar - signifying the great sporting passions of his life.

His sister Iris, speaking from the altar, thanked everybody who had helped the Mahon family during their traumatic ordeal, including a number of gardaí who were also in attendance.

Fr Tony O’Brien said the trauma of John Mahon’s death would stay with the community for a long time and he urged people to pray for him.

Pa Flynn, secretary of Fermoy Boxing Club, confirmed yesterday that an international boxing tournament organised for March 18 in the town will still go ahead.

“John would have wanted that. We also intend to hold another tournament later in the year which will be dedicated to his memory,” Mr Flynn said.