The parish priest of Kildysart has expressed shock and sadness on behalf of the West Clare Community as the remains of a man found dead in Dublin last month were laid to rest alongside his father.
36 year old Gerard Donnelly was buried in Kildysart with his late father and Cranny native, Flan Donnelly almost three weeks after his badly burned body was discovered in the Phoenix Park.
Both of Gerard Donnelly’s parents were from West Clare, and yesterday, his elderly mother Kathleen returned from her home in Dublin to bury her only son next to his father.
Kildysart Priest Fr. Albert McDonnell told those gathered for mass that "like the entire country, we were shocked and saddened by the nature of Gerard’s passing".
Mr Donnelly’s charred remains were discovered in the Phoenix Park on November 29th last where it is believed that he was sleeping rough.
Fr. McDonnell offered prayers for his mother Kathleen who he said had suffered hugely through his passing, as well as his late father Flan, a native of Cranny who was buried in Kildysart over 20 years ago.
A 27-year old Dublin man, Ciaran Moran of Camden Street has been charged with Gerard Donnelly’s murder and is due back in court in January.
