Village left in shock by killing

THE tiny village of Lemybrien was a sombre place to be yesterday as visibly upset locals endeavoured to come to terms with the murder of one of their own.

People huddled in small groups to talk about the tragic events of the day before when Mary Walsh’s badly beaten body was found in the boot of her own car, the victim of a cold, callous, and senseless murder that has torn at the very heart of this tight-knit, rural community.

A 55-year-old mother of two, “Mamie” Walsh was seen as an integral part of that community.

Yesterday, many of her friends and neighbours wept openly and unashamedly. Several of them were simply unable to speak, such was the depth of their grief.

Priest of the joint parishes of Kilrossanty and Fews Fr John Delaney said it was about the worst day in the life of the community.

“There is a huge sadness here today and it is hard to comprehend that such a tragedy can happen in a small rural parish like Kilrossanty and Fews.

“All the people are very supportive of the Walsh family and will continue to be, and our thoughts and prayers are with Mamie’s husband, daughters, mother, brother, sisters, and relatives,’’ he said.

One of the deceased’s closest personal friends, Deirdre Daly, spoke of Mamie being “mad into fitness’’ and of a woman who would give you her heart if she thought it would help. “She just shouldn’t have died like she did,” Ms Daly added.

Local shopkeeper James Veale said Mamie was a regular caller and was an extraordinarily lovely lady.

“The entire parish is devastated by what has happened’’, he said, “and I’m not certain if we’ll ever get over the trauma and distress of this day’’.

He described the Walsh family as being the very heartbeat of the parish and of the local Kilrossanty GAA club, to which her husband Pa and brothers-in-law Tom and Noel had rendered such sterling service over many decades.

“It’s definitely the saddest day this parish and village has ever had to contend with’’, he added.

The removal of Mamie’s remains will take place from the Kiely Funeral Home to St. Brigid’s parish church in Kilrossanty this evening at 8pm. Following Requiem Mass at 2pm tomorrow she will be laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

She is survived by her husband Pa, her daughters Karen and Paula, her mother, Mary Whelan, her brother, sisters, and many other relatives.