Hundreds pay respects to murdered publican

HUNDREDS OF mourners turned out in terrible weather conditions last night for the removal of Co Offaly publican Matt Farrell, who was murdered last week.

The Church of Mary the Mother of God in Daingean was filled to overflowing on receiving the remains of Mr Farrell (64), the proprietor of The Gaelic Bar on Molesworth Street.

Mr Farrell was killed on Wednesday last week by raiders who entered his pub in the early hours of the morning and tied him up. He was attacked between 2.30am, when he was last seen alive by a barmaid, and 7.30am when his body was discovered by his son Matthew jnr.

A postmortem by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis found Mr Farrell died after being struck on the head. As a result, the investigation was upgraded by gardaí to a murder investigation.

Mr Farrell’s body was only released yesterday from the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, following further tests.

The remains were taken back to Mr Farrell’s home at the back of the pub where he was killed on April 1st. Dozens of local people turned out to pay their respects as the coffin was taken from his home to the parish church.

A picture of Mr Farrell at a recent wedding was placed on the coffin, with a Bible. There were dozens of funeral wreaths, including one which spelt the name Matt.

A former fitter in Bord na Móna, Mr Farrell was semi-retired from the pub business. He was described by locals as a gentleman who looked after customers well.

Mr Farrell’s wife, his four children by his first marriage and his daughter by his second marriage led the mourners last night. They have appealed for information from anybody who could help find their father’s killer.

Local priest Fr Michael Maloney welcomed the congregation and asked them to pray for the Farrell family. He did not mention the circumstances behind Mr Farrell’s death.

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the incident, but no breakthrough has yet been made yet in finding the gang involved.

More than 100 officers are involved in the case, and Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy is overseeing the investigation.

Gardaí believe Mr Farrell may have been the victim of a Dublin-based gang which targets rural premises such as garages and pubs.

CCTV footage is being examined at the M4/M6 toll, in Edenderry and in the village itself.

Mr Farrell’s funeral takes place at 11am today.

Gardaí have set up an information room in relation to the killing at Tullamore Garda station. The number is 057-9327078.