‘It is hard to believe he should die like this’

A NEPHEW of the retired Limerick soldier who earlier this week was beaten to death said it was hard to comprehend that he died violently in the old family home having gone through the dangers of the Congo, while serving with the UN 50 years ago.

The funeral takes place today of James (Jimmy) Boyce, 72, whose body was discovered in an upstairs room of his home at St Munchin’s Street, St Mary’s Park after neighbours raised the alarm last Monday.

Mr Boyce, a 72-year-old bachelor who lived alone, was beaten to death.

His nephew Tommy Boyce, who is a sergeant in the army, said: “Nobody can comprehend this. He served in the Congo with my father and my uncle. They rarely talked about the Congo which was a very dangerous place where many Irish soldiers lost their lives at the time.

“Our family have lived in St Mary’s Park since it was built in the 1940s and it has always been a very close community with great neighbours, where none of the family has ever had any trouble.

“It is hard to believe that he should die like this in the old family home having served his country in a dangerous place, the Congo at a dangerous time.”

Sgt Boyce, who has done six tours of duty with the UN, said they were very proud of the family’s army tradition.

He said: “My uncle (Jimmy) was a very quiet man and a highly respected member of the community. What has happened is beyond belief.”

Mr Boyce’s funeral will take place today (Saturday) following requiem Mass at St Mary’s Church.

Gardaí investigating the murder are understood to have already identified a main suspect.

Mr Boyce served in the army from 1956 to 1962 and spent six months with an Irish UN contingent in the Congo in 1961. He was awarded a UN medal for his service in the Congo.