Man shot in Florida is laid to rest

An Irishman shot dead in Florida has been laid to rest in his native Templemore, with the parish priest stating that “a bright light had gone out” with the passing of Tom Walsh.

The 43-year-old was shot at the Mainstreet Grill in DeLand, Florida, 10 days ago, devastating his family back in Co Tipperary.

Yesterday, the Church of the Sacred Heart in Templemore was filled with people paying tribute to his memory, among them Tom’s 12-year-old daughter, Kira.

Mr Walsh had been living in the US since 1996 but mourners were told that he had made regular visits home, sometimes twice a year.

He was still a member of the local athletics club and chief celebrant, Fr James Walton, remembered how, just last June, Mr Walsh had again come home to visit family and friends.

Kira’s mother and Tom’s former wife, Lisa Bennett, was present at yesterday’s Mass, as was his mother Betty, and his three brothers and four sisters.

He was killed after being shot at point-blank range in the restaurant where he was a manager, in what police in Florida believe was a robbery.

In a simple funeral service, one of his sisters, Catherine, contributed a reading, while another sister, Carmel, sang alongside the parish choir.

Some of his siblings still live locally and others live elsewhere in Ireland, while one lives in Australia.

Fr Walton said the death of such a popular figure had shocked people in the locality, and he told mourners that “a bright light had been extinguished”.

He told the congregation they needed to hold on to memories of Tom and his achievements, and also to their Christian faith at this difficult time.

“People have been in shock and still are a little bit,” he said afterwards.

Mr Walsh’s body was then laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.