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.