Sister of killed teacher tells of ‘role model’

THE sister of the 26-year-old school teacher who died following an alleged assault in Ennis on St Stephen’s night has described her brother “as a role model, inspiring son and loyal friend”.

In a moving tribute at the end of Mr Casey’s funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Wayside Church in Lissycasey, Co Clare, Martina Casey said her brother’s passing had “left many things undone and other things he never had a chance to start”.

Brian Casey died on Monday after sustaining injuries arising from an incident in O’Connell Square in Ennis on St Stephen’s night.

The church was full to capacity for the midday Mass in memory of Mr Casey, who was a teacher at Davis College in Mallow, Co Cork. Hundreds more listened to the service outside.

Addressing the Casey family, Fr Peter O’Loughlin said he had no answers as to why this happened to someone so good.

He said the only people who can know what Brian’s parents, Martin and Eileen are going through are those parents who have lost children in similar circumstances.

Brian is also survived by his girlfriend, Cecilia Talty, with whom he had been going out for the past 10 years.

Addressing her from the altar Mr Casey’s sister said: “Many people travel the world and a lifetime to find the person they are looking for, but Brian only had to travel two minutes away.”

Martina said that throughout all of those days together, “Brian and Cecilia’s love for each other grew stronger and we know that their hearts will always belong to one another.”

Martina went on to say that Mr Casey had a great work ethic and enjoyed many years of working on the family farm in Labasheeda with his father Martin.

“They had many years of happy work together and Brian never saw it as work, but a chance of best friends to share each other’s time.

“Mam and Dad dearly loved Brian and he was a model teacher, inspiring son and loyal friend.”

Martina said that she and Brian had a special bond “and not only were we brother and sister, we were confidantes and best friends”.

Brian was a panel member of the Lissycasey side that won the Clare County Football championship in 2007 and was a regular on the team for the past two seasons.

Martina said that Brian was so young to have achieved so many honours and was a role model for other footballers in the area.

She said: “He was one of the club’s greatest players of all time... He wore the maroon and white jersey with such pride and passion and it is incredibly re-assuring that Lissycasey will have an invaluable 16th man forever more.”

Mr Casey’s framed Lissycasey jersey was one of the gifts offered up during the Mass.

His teammates formed a guard of honour outside the church before his remains were taken to the local cemetery for burial.

Brian Casey is survived by his parents, Martin and Eileen, sisters Martina and Aileen, brother Niall and girlfriend, Cecilia.

Two men have been charged with assaulting Mr Casey in Ennis on St Stephen’s night and are due again in court on Friday.