Robert Holohan killing - Local people unite in face of tragedy

AGAINST the grief-laden backdrop of Midleton schoolboy Robert Holohan’s violent death, it is appropriate to reflect on the extraordinary response of the community in this tragic case.

Without prejudicing the outcome of ongoing investigations, it is timely to commend the compassion of local people towards the Holohan family and also to praise their unstinting support of the tireless efforts of the gardaí and of the defence forces to find Robert’s killer.

As they embark on the long journey from darkness into the light, Robert’s parents, Mark and Majella, whose dignity in their time of travail has been inspiring, will derive much solace from the sentiments expressed by local curate Fr Billy O’Donovan during Requiem Mass.

The enormous feeling of relief at the discovery of Robert’s body was translated into a communal outpouring of anguish at the weekend as mourners attended the funeral in their thousands. Their pain and suffering were echoed in Fr O’Donovan’s poignant words.

In an era when priests are more likely to come in for criticism than praise, he has succeeded in projecting a caring, compassionate and loving image of the church.

Speaking from the heart, he underlined the heroism of ordinary people - their bravery, generosity, determination and sheer goodness throughout this difficult ordeal.

From the outset, people from the locality and, indeed, from the four corners of Ireland, came out in their hundreds in atrocious weather conditions to search the countryside for the missing boy.

Those who could not participate actively in scouring the fields, woods, boglands and waterways of East Cork, contributed immensely to the back-up effort in practical ways by, for instance, making sandwiches and refreshments for the members of search parties.

Another aspect of this tragic case which deserves mention was the harnessing of the mobile phone network, a technology which is often condemned.

In the event, it proved highly accurate in pinpointing Robert’s mobile phone, helping the gardaí to target the spot where his body was found near Inch Strand, 13 miles from his home.

While criticism of the undue time lag between the discovery of the body and the forensic examination is warranted, that does not negate the painstaking and methodical work of the gardaí, led by Assistant Commissioner Tony Hickey, Chief Superintendent Kieran McGann and Superintendent Liam Hayes, which has been exemplary throughout the investigation.

The closure of 99% of Midleton’s business activities as a mark of respect on Saturday provided yet another graphic illustration of collective mourning for a young boy whose shocking death had a profound local and national impact.

It will take years for local people to recover from a trauma which rocked a community to its core.

Whatever transpires now, parents will remain fearful and protective of their children.

In reality, however, the abduction or killing of a child is a rare occurrence in Ireland. Only four such cases have been recorded in the past 40 years.

In praising the courage displayed by the family at a time of great pain and suffering, President Mary McAleese spoke for all of Ireland.

Any lingering doubts about the humanity of people at a time when society is undergoing radical change, sometimes for the worse, have been well and truly dispelled. There can be no doubt that the outpouring of support witnessed in Midleton would, in similar circumstances, be replicated in other communities across the country.

Robert Holohan’s untimely death has brought a community closer and bonded a nation in grief.