Murderers have ‘committed great evil’
Fr Pat Hogan addressing mourners at the funeral Mass of 24-year-old Des Kelly said: “We thought we were getting away from the insane evil acts of violence, but this has landed us back into the land of misery; re-opening old wounds for so many who have suffered wounds that took so long to heal.”
Earlier yesterday, the Requiem Mass for Breda Waters, 28, took place at St Mary’s Parish Church.
In a withering attack on those who carried out the murders, less than 100 yards from his own residence in Southill, Fr Hogan said: “Maybe we will never know who you (the killers) are, but you will know, and you will see it constantly every moment of your life. You have brought shame on yourselves and on your families. You have brought shame on your children. You have brought shame on everything that we call human; you have blighted all our names by your evil deed.
“There are many ways that you will hide from your evilness, but you will never escape it. You have chosen to walk with a deadly companion that will never leave your side. You will hide by blaming this one or that one, or by using this or that, but there will always be moments when you wake up to that deadly companion.”
Fr Hogan said last Sunday, at around 9am when the murders were carried out, was a quiet, restful morning in Southill, when people were not rushing about.
“So while the country and this parish were locked into this sacred space last Sunday, someone or some people committed a most evil act,” he told the congregation in the Holy Family Church in Southill.
“The quietness, the sacredness of a Sunday morning and the evilness of Dessie’s and Breda’s murders lie in stark contrast to each other. Whoever was involved in this; whoever may have conspired, or given the word; need to hear that you have been involved in great evil. You also need to hear that your evil deed has marked you like not any other evil deed can and has marked you for life,” said Fr Hogan.
The priest said there was “talk” about Dessie Kelly doing this or that, or owing (money) and crossing the line. “Dessie did nothing to deserve such a violent death — and it could happen to any one of us. Evil in all its rage respects no one.”
The mourners were led by his partner, Olivia, children Faith, Jayden and Lilly Rose; mother Mary Ann, sister Teresa and brother Jonathan.
Meanwhile, at the funeral Mass for Breda Waters, 28, in St Mary’s Parish church, mourners were led by her children, Courtney, Amber and Jonathan; parents John and Patricia, brothers and sisters.
Canon Donough O’Malley told mourners Breda’s young life had been cut cruelly short.
One of her brothers said: “Breda, I will miss you. I can’t believe it’s true. Through every little problem you were number one.”
The funerals took place separately to Mount St Oliver cemetery.
Seven people were still being held in garda stations in Limerick city, Co Limerick and Shannon last night as part of the huge investigation into the murders.
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