Family mourn as man killed by teen gang laid to rest

TWO little sisters yesterday paid a tearful farewell to their dad who died at the hands of a brutal teenage gang in Limerick last Monday.

Pat Coleman’s daughters Oran, eight, and Kila, six, were at the graveside as the 33-year-old scaffolder was laid to rest in Mungret cemetery.

Fr Muiris O’Connor told mourners at Ballybrown church: “In the face of such a tragedy, the only appropriate response is silence and that is all we can do when death strikes tragically. In tragedy, God seems to be absent and the question we ask is why. Why did God

allow such a terrible sadness to enter people’s lives?”

One of the wreaths read “Happy” which was Mr Coleman’s nickname amongst friends and work colleagues.

His daughters were comforted by their mother,

Diane Curran.

Mr Coleman’s mother said that seeing her son’s body at the city morgue was every mother’s worst nightmare.

Gemma Coleman said: “I really thought my heart was going to break. It is a mother’s worst nightmare and nothing prepares you for something like that, nothing, no matter how much you gear yourself up. I thought my heart was going to break in two and you just want him back.”

Mr Coleman, a native of Celbridge, died after he was attacked near his home in the Southill area of Limerick city as he walked home after watching Sunday’s All Ireland final.

He was slashed in the neck by a teenager using a broken bottle.

A number of teenagers who were among a larger group from the Ballinacurra Weston are suspected of attacking Mr Coleman.

Despite being badly wounded he managed to make it to his home in Carew Park about 100 yards away. Three of those who were near the scene on Sunday night have already gone voluntarily to Roxboro Road Garda Station with their parents.

One teenager who was arrested was released after being questioned. All those interviewed by gardaí are in the 15 to 17 age group.