Annette Rocca ‘hurt’ by speculation into husband’s death

THE wife of Patrick Rocca, the multi-millionaire businessman found dead in a suicide shooting, said last night she was hurt by media speculation over her husband’s financial affairs.

Mr Rocca, the brother of former Miss Ireland Michelle Rocca, was discovered dead at his house with a single gunshot wound to the head on Monday.

In a statement issued through her solicitors, Annette Rocca said: “I am heartbroken and devastated at the loss of my beloved husband Patrick. On behalf of our two sons and the extended Rocca family, I would like to express my hurt at the way that some of the media have chosen to report on the death of my husband this week.

“Callous speculation on why and how he took his life and misinformed commentary on his financial affairs was deeply hurtful to all of us and does a disservice to his memory.”

Ms Rocca described the tycoon as “a wonderful husband, an exceptional father and family man and a substantial businessman.” She said he was a special person and the centre of his family.

“As a couple and as a family, we enjoyed an active social life and often featured in the social pages of the media. If this part of our lives gives some media the right to declare ‘open season’ on us and intrude on our grief with reckless reporting and ill-informed comment then it is time to ask some fundamental questions about the values and ethics of sections of the Irish and international media.”

Ms Rocca said she intended bringing to the attention of the press ombudsman many of what she described as the inaccuracies and reckless reporting of the last week. She hoped action could be taken to avoid other families being subjected to similar treatment.

“It is important to me and our family that the record is set straight. As recently as last week Patrick had a meeting with his advisers and based on the details discussed at that meeting, there are no significant financial issues that would have affected him or his business prior to his death.”