Josef’s death ‘must not be in vain’

A priest yesterday begged those in power to review policies towards homeless people to ensure there is no repeat of the fate suffered by Josef Pavelka.

Fr Ger Fitzgerald, a friend of the Czech national who slept in a public toilet, said: “We need to unite to ensure what happened to Josef will not happen to others.”

Mr Pavelka’s plight gained national attention on Apr 10 after Judge Patrick Durcan described his public toilet accommodation as a ‘scandal’. Just 24 days later, the 52-year-old’s body was found in a laneway in Ennis.