Mayor speaks of family’s pain at killing of nephew

CLARE’S mayor, Cllr Christy Curtin, last night spoke of the hurt his family has endured following the death of his nephew, Eoin Ryan.

Last Tuesday, the 21-year-old law student’s body was discovered on open ground five miles from Ennis, sparking a full-scale murder inquiry.

Joe Heffernan, 31, of Cappabeg, Barefield, has been charged with his murder.

Speaking for the first time on the loss of his nephew, Mr Curtin told the June meeting of Clare County Council yesterday: “For me and my family, the loss of Eoin Ryan can never be measured.

“The tragic circumstances surrounded Eoin’s death has left an indelible mark on all of us.”

Responding to words of sympathy from the meeting to himself and to Cllr PJ Kelly (FF), also an uncle to Mr Ryan, Mr Curtin said: “I will relay your words, presence and messages to Eoin’s parents, Don and Phil, brother Daniel and sister Lisa.”

Contravening its own rules on holding statutory council meetings, the councillors agreed unanimously to adjourn the meeting for a week as a mark of respect to the Ryan family and to other families bereaved in the local area in recent days.

Normally, under their standing orders, only the death of a councillor or a holder of high office would result in councillors fully adjourning a meeting.

“The circumstances that brought this about are unprecedented and would not have been considered when Standing Orders were being drawn up,” said Cllr Joe Arkins (FG).

“I would like to extend my sympathy to the Ryan family. The death of a child is stuff of nightmares and is something that would have you in a cold sweat at night.”

Mr Arkins said a number of members were overcome with grief at Mr Ryan’s funeral.

Cllr Paschal Fitzgerald (Labour) said the death of a child is shocking, adding that it has been a sad week and sad month in Co Clare.

County manager Tom Coughlan also extended his sympathy to the Ryan family and to other local families recently bereaved.

At Mr Ryan’s funeral last Friday, his brother, Daniel asked mourners to remember Eoin “as a peaceful, loving, beautiful young man”.