Murder victim ‘found peace’ before his death

Murder victim John Forrester, whose body was found in the River Bandon in November, had found peace in the weeks before his death, his family was told yesterday.

Pastor Brian Synnott, of the West Cork Community Church, told Mr Forrester’s father and four children that John had made major decisions before his death.

“He had found hope and peace,” Pastor Synnott said.

“He had made some deep decisions in his life to walk a different path.

“He came to our church and he warmed to it completely. We spoke openly and frankly about his struggles and I told him that the choices we make in life have consequences beyond our control.

“I said if we make the big decisions, the rest will follow.

“He had made some big decisions in the weeks and months before his death.

“It’s like when you turn the rudder of a ship. John had turned his heart towards God.

“But while the rudder turns immediately, it takes time for the ship to change its course.

“It was only a matter of time, but we didn’t realise he had so little time left. It was just so tragic.”

Concern mounted for 42-year-old Mr Forrester in November when gardaí investigating the murder of another man in Bandon, Jonathan Duke, could not trace his whereabouts.

They found Mr Forrester’s body a mile downstream from Bandon town centre.

He had been stabbed several times before his body was dumped in the river.

The body, which was bound at the hands and feet, had been wrapped in a rug.

Originally from Blackpool in Lancashire, Mr Forrester was known as a drifter and had not been in contact with his family for years.

His father John, and his children Aaron Andrew, 14, David Adam, 13, John Anthony, 12, and Sophie Jan, 9, attended a memorial service for him in Gabriel & O’Donovan’s funeral home in Bandon yesterday.

They were joined by the family of Mr Duke and by Rev Myles McSweeney CC and Rev Denis McCarthy.

Mr Forrester’s children walked alongside the coffin as it was wheeled from the funeral home.

The cortege then stopped on the Innishannon Road, close to the spot where his body was recovered, before the remains were taken to Ringaskiddy for cremation.

A man and a woman who were arrested last month for questioning in connection with Mr Forrester’s murder were released without charge.

A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.