Biker shot in face was ‘man of peace’ says priest friend

A close friend of a man murdered in Limerick has described him as “a man of peace”.

Fr Tom Ryan paid an emotional tribute to 51-year-old Andrew ‘Odd’ O’Donoghue, who was shot in the face on Saturday afternoon.

Gardaí believe Mr O’Donoghue, a father of one, was shot arising out of a dispute with a fellow motorcycle enthusiast. However, a motive for the shooting has yet to be determined.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the killing.

“I looked upon Andrew as a good friend. I really can’t accept why this happened and why it happened to him,” said Fr Ryan.

Mr O’Donoghue was shot outside the Road Tramps Motorcycle Club located at Mountfune, Murroe, where he had been a popular, long- serving member. The club, founded in 1987, was previously known as The Reapers.

Gardaí said a car pulled up outside the club at around 3pm and a gunman fired at Mr O’Donoghue, “blasting him in the face”.

“I heard it on the 6pm news,” said Fr Ryan. “I knew Andrew very well. He was quiet and inoffensive man, he was a good friend of mine. He lived in the village and he had a serious interest in motorbikes.

“I’m quite shocked to hear this has happened.”

Mr O’Donoghue’s partner, Catherine Danaher is said to be devastated at the loss of her childhood sweetheart.

Fr Ryan said: “Andrew lived with his partner Catherine and they have a daughter Ava. He would have lived a quiet life. His interest in motorbikes was serious.

“From my point of view, I never heard of anything wrong. Andrew minded his own business. We’re all shocked here in Murroe.”

On the Road Tramps MC Facebook page, Ms Danaher posted a previous photograph of herself and Mr O’Donoghue together thee weeks ago entitled ‘Me and the odd fella’.

There has been widespread shock across the motorcycle community to Mr O’Donoghue’s murder.

Dozens of friends and fellow ‘brothers’ from motorcycle clubs around the country paid tribute on the Road Tramps Facebook page.

“There is one little girl this morning with no father because he was executed yesterday while going to feed clubhouse cats,” said one disgusted friend.

Wojciech Skulimowski, from Clonmel offered his “condolences to Family and Brotherhood”.

Greg Bourke added: “A cowardly act R.I.P Odd”.

Deirdre Giani wrote: “A cold heartless act — so sorry for your loss guys and the loss to his precious child.”