Pensioner who died after assault a ‘gentle’ man

A PENSIONER who died after an attack in his home was described yesterday as a gentle-natured man.

Johnny Golden, 73, was found half naked on the bedroom floor of his cottagenear Killeshandra, Co Cavan by a neighbour on September 7 after being savagelybeaten.

He never fully regained consciousness after the attack and died in hospital last night.

Sue Kilbracken, widow of Lord Kilbracken, knew Mr Golden for 40 years after he worked on the Godley’s ancestral home, Killegar House, when it was almost destroyed by fire in 1970.

“He was a very popular local character, extremely well liked by everyone. Lord Kilbracken was particularly fond of him and he was very proud of his association with Lord Kilbracken.”

A funeral service is to take place on Sunday at the Church of Ireland, Killegar, where Mr Golden served as sexton for several years.

A 17-year-old youth was arrested and released without charge last month over the attack, and it is understood a number of others have been interviewed.

The pensioner suffered heart trouble 18 months ago and his neighbours initially feared he had collapsed.

However, medics feared he had suffered massive brain trauma and internal injuries in the attack.

Seamus and Lily Galligan discovered their friend and were last night finalising plans for the funeral.

Mr Golden, who had no known relatives, was a well-known mechanic, a vintage tractor enthusiast, a noted musician, and was renowned for travelling the area on his Honda 70.

He was raised in the Sunbeam home in Bray, Co Wicklow, before moving to Gulladoo, near Carrigallen, in Leitrim, in his teens.

Ms Kilbracken said: “Everyone has a story of ‘The Gouldy’ — he had such a ready wit and made wry, humorous observations about people and life.

“Despite his unusual upbringing and the fact that he had quite a difficult life, he didn’t have an ounce of resentment. Johnny was just a gentle, sweet-natured man and I am very sorry that he is no longer with us.”

Superintendent Tom Maguire appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious around the pensioner’s home in Nedd, Doogary, near the Cavan-Leitrim border, to come forward.

He said detectives were focusing on a 12-hour period when the attack may have taken place.

“We believe that he was the victim of an assault on the night of the 6th-7th September some time from 9.30pm at night to 9.40am the following morning,” the superintendent said.