84-year-old found dead in Castlemaine laid to rest 

The house (left) where the body of Patrick O’Mahony Snr (right) was found. Pictures: Domnick Walsh/Facebook

The funeral has taken place of the 84-year-old man found dead in Castlemaine, Co Kerry, last Sunday morning.

Patrick (Paddy) O’Mahony's body was found at his home. A man has been charged with his murder.

Mr O'Mahony is survived by his five children and extended family. 

At the widower's funeral at St Carthage Church, Kiltallagh, a framed photograph of the late Paddy and his much-loved late wife Lillie, (Elizabeth) adorned the coffin.

Three sets of gifts were brought to the altar at the start of the mass. A lily represented Lillie, the love of his life, the large congregation heard. They were married for 55 years before Lillie died on November 21, 2023.

A plant represented his newfound love of horticulture. Over the past year, he had spent most of his days in his garden house sowing seeds.

The third and final gift, a tricolour and gloves and medals, represented his time as captain in the Reserve Defence Forces and his role in the national ex-servicemen personnel organisation.

Homily

Fr Danny Broderick, in his homily, recalled Mr O'Mahony as "gentle and humble in heart" and as a father, grandfather, neighbour, and powerful friend to so many.

He recalled how the 84-year-old would sit on the right-hand side by the wall each Sunday and no matter how early the priest would be, Paddy was always there before him, and he would be in prayer and reflection.

Addressing Mr O'Mahony's family, Fr Broderick said they had a great cross of grief to bear. He recalled being called to the house on Sunday morning and all they could do was pray. Then as the circumstances unfolded later in the day, "a deep shock was felt through the whole community". 

"It will take a long time to come to terms with all of this," the priest said.

In the Prayers of the Faithful, the family thanked the community for their support.

The late Paddy’s friend Seoirse Devlin, originally from Killarney and now living in Kildare, reflected on Paddy’s life.

He thanked gardaí, the medical staff, and the community.

"Paddy’s unwavering loyalty was his hallmark," Mr Devlin recalled.

Paddy could be "a stubborn, cantankerous and grumpy old man but at the back of it all he had a wicked sense of humour," he said.

Patrick (Paddy) O’Mahony has been laid to rest in the cemetery attached to St Carthage Church.