‘We pray this utter madness will stop’

THE murder of Limerick businessman Roy Collins was yesterday condemned by the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, as “utter madness” which strikes at all of us.

Addressing more than 1,000 people who attended the requiem Mass for Mr Collins at St John’s Cathedral, Bishop Murray said: “When death is the result of senseless violence it seems even more meaningless, and it strikes at all of us. We see the darkness and the pain which are inflicted by such acts. Not only do they destroy life, the life of the victim, they also diminish the humanity of those who carry out such acts.

“They give a horrible example to the children who will see such acts as anything other than the vile and futile things they are.

“At this Mass we all appeal and pray that this madness, this utter madness will stop.”

During the Mass, Ryan Lee, 23, a cousin of the dead man who was shot and badly wounded in one of the Collins family pubs in Limerick in December 2004, gave a reading.

Following that attack, a leading member of the McCarthy-Dundon gang, Wayne Dundon, was convicted and jailed for 10 years for threatening to kill Mr Lee prior to the December 2004 shooting.

Gardaí suspect that Mr Collins was targeted in a revenge attack by the gang over Dundon’s jailing.

Mr Collins’ 12-year-old daughter Shannon gave a poignant reading and could barely hold back her tears as she said: “Thank you God, for the blessing you bestowed on daddy in his life.”

The murdered man’s younger daughter, Charlie, 8 and their mother Sarah Sulliman, also attended the Mass.

Family friend, Fr Sean Harmon, who was the celebrant, said in his homily that the state agencies who confront the perpetrators of such violence must get the full support of the entire community.

“I appeal on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Limerick, that you men of violence will look deep into your hearts and see the great evil you are committing, and the untold heartache you are bringing to families of the victims, indeed to all of us, the people of Limerick.

“I say to you too, spare a thought for the fact, by your evil deeds, you have besmirched the precious name of our ancient, beautiful and cherished city of Limerick.”

Fr Harmon said violence has no place in any town or city.

“Violence has no place here in Limerick,” he added.

Roy’s family, he said, would carry their loss all the days of their lives. “Your dreams and hopes as a family have been dashed.”

The murdered man’s father, Stephen, said the family wanted to thank all for their support at this sad time at the loss of their beautiful son Roy.

“Many of you who knew him, I don’t have to say anything. But people who didn’t know him, he would have made you a very good friend.”

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, Most Rev Trevor Williams, who attended the Mass, sent a message to the Collins family on behalf of his community.

It read: “I assure Roy Collins’s family the prayerful support of the Church of Ireland community. The manner of Roy Collins’s tragic murder may lead some to despair that there can be no stopping the evil deeds of those who seem to hold our community in the grip of terror. But the overwhelming response of the community tells another story. We are saying we will not put up with the callous destruction of human life.”

Limerick mayor Cllr John Gilligan and members of the city council sympathised with the Collins family as they arrived for the Mass.

Also present were Defence Minister Willie O’Dea, Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan and Kieran O’Donnell TD of Fine Gael.