Priest’s plea for peace at funeral of murder victim
“Violence may be our most immediate response as we try to right a wrong, but as we all know only too well violence is not the answer. It is not the way forward,” said the Very Rev Frank O’Dea, of Moyross.
He was speaking at the funeral of 23-year-old Robert Fitzgerald from Cliona Park in Moyross. Mr Fitzgerald was shot on his way home from a party in the area on Tuesday.
In his homily Father O’Dea said: “The nature of Robert’s death deepens our sense of darkness and gloom. For each one of us, to walk the road of peace, to seek the path of forgiveness is always difficult, but it is the road that we must seek and take.”
The heartbroken father of the murdered victim, Robert Fitzgerald senior, who has been working in England for many years, told the congregation: “I did not know Robert for long. I left Limerick years ago because I could not stay in the city.”
He thanked his mother Mary Fitzgerald for rearing Robert. “There were good times with Robert and I thank everyone,” he said.
Fr O’Dea said that for those who were close to Robert, the weeks and months ahead would be ones of sadness and pain.
“Our prayer and wish for Robert today is that he is at peace. We also pray that we will strive to seek and find that peace.”
“But as you look back on Robert’s short life, I am sure you will recall many happy memories, memories of his love and care, memories of his acts of kindness, memories of his sense of fun.
“Speaking to members of his family, they spoke of Robert as a gentle giant, of a boy who loved life and lived it to the full.”
The chief mourners were Robert’s father; his grandmother, Mary Fitzgerald, uncles, John, Stephen, Anthony and Thomas Fitzgerald and other relatives.
The funeral took place from Corpus Christi Church through to Mungret Cemetery.
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