Family opposes death for murderers

THE family of a missionary priest murdered in Kenya appealed yesterday for death sentences imposed on his killers to be commuted.

Fr Gerry Roche, 68, originally from Athea, Co Limerick, was found battered to death in December 2009 at his home in the northwestern town of Kericho after he failed to turn up to say morning Mass.

This week, three men — Isaac Bett, Jackson Kosgey and Joshua Makori, all in their 20s — were sentenced to death for the murder.

Nine men were originally charged over the killing. Two were acquitted and two others, John Mwangi and Pangreas Mgabta, were found guilty of handling Fr Roche’s property and given maximum 14-year sentences.

His attackers made off with two mobile phones, a laptop, digital camera and CD player.

Fr Roche’s niece, Anne Cunningham, said Fr Gerry stood on the side of justice and was a man of peace.

In a statement on behalf of the family, she said: “We understand the death penalty has not been enforced in Kenya since 1987 and our wish would be that it not be enforced in this instance either.

“We are not in favour of the death penalty or punishment by any violent means — it will not bring Fr Gerry back.”

Ms Cunningham said they are hopeful that by detaining those found guilty, others may be protected from going through what Fr Gerry went through.

“It has been a difficult time for Fr Gerry’s family and friends. It has been hard to understand why Fr Gerry was murdered and, for some of us, harder still to find it in our hearts to ‘forgive them for they know not what they do’.

“We also believe Fr Gerry would take this opportunity of publicity to question the world’s inequality. Though Ireland and much of the western world are enduring tough economic times, we are not starving to death like some of Fr Gerry’s former parishioners and many others in Kenya and Somalia.”

Ms Cunningham said Fr Gerry’s message would be that one man’s death is a tragedy but why are the millions of people dying of starvation just a statistic.