'No significant' money problems before businessman's death

The widow of businessman Patrick Rocca, who died in a suspected suicide, tonight said he had “no significant” financial difficulties.

Annette Rocca spoke out following speculation the 42-year-old father-of-two’s investments had suffered badly in the last few months as the recession took hold and share prices collapsed.

She said: “As recently as last week Patrick had a meeting with his advisers and based on the details discussed at that meeting, there are no significant financial issues that would have affected him or his business prior to his death.”

Mrs Rocca criticised the media for its coverage of the death and said she would contact the Press Ombudsman.

Mr Rocca, who had been involved in property deals in Ireland and Britain, was found dead at their Dublin home last Monday and his funeral was held in west Dublin on Wednesday morning.

In a statement tonight, Mrs Rocca said: “On behalf of our two sons and the extended Rocca family, I would like to express my hurt at the way that some of the media have chosen to report on the death of my husband this week.

“Callous speculation on why and how he took his own life and misinformed commentary on his financial affairs was deeply hurtful to all of us and does a disservice to his memory.

“We are bringing to the attention of the Press Ombudsman many of the inaccuracies and reckless reporting of the last week and hope action can be taken to avoid other families being subjected to similar treatment.

“It is important to me and our family that the record is set straight and the memory and reputation of Patrick Rocca is restored.

“Patrick was a wonderful husband, an exceptional father and family man and a substantial businessman. He was a special person and was the centre of our lives.

“As a couple and as a family we enjoyed an active social life and often featured in the social pages of the media.

“If this part of our lives gives some media the right to declare ’open season’ on us and intrude on our grief with reckless reporting and ill-informed comment then it is time to ask some fundamental questions about the values and ethics of sections of the Irish and international media.”