THE MOTHER of murdered Limerick rugby player Shane Geoghegan has said she does not want her son to be remembered by the manner in which he died.
Mary Geoghegan’s wishes were conveyed at the launch of a trust set up in memory of her son and aimed at providing young children with an alternative to criminality.
Mr Geoghegan was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity on November 9th last year as he made his way home from watching a rugby match in Dooradoyle.
The Shane Geoghegan Trust was formally launched at Garryowen Rugby Club yesterday by former Ireland soccer international and chairman of Sunderland FC, Niall Quinn.
Shane’s parents, Tom and Mary, his brother Anthony and his girlfriend Jenna Barry were among those at yesterday’s launch.
In a statement read out on behalf of Ms Geoghegan by her niece, Laura May, his mother said she wants her son to be remembered by the way he lived.
“From the day we lost Shane,” she said, “we’ve been fighting for his memory. Fighting for his memory because of the danger that he may be remembered only by the manner of his dying. That would be another tragedy.
“We, his family, want Shane Geoghegan to be remembered for the life and the way he lived it. He was a contributor. He made other people’s lives better. His name should continue to remind people of that and of that wonderful quality and that’s the reason for the trust.
“It is the continuing contribution of a young man who lived a full, happy and generous life.”
The aim of the Shane Geoghegan Trust is to provide children across Limerick with an alternative to criminal or anti-social behaviour by making a range of sports and activities accessible to them in their community.
It will begin with the Street Games project, which will bring sports activities to children’s homes and includes creative workshops and the “Club of Hard Knocks”.
The trust is modelled on the work of the Sunderland FC foundation, established eight years ago, to help engage children in some of Britain’s most disadvantaged communities by getting them involved with sport.
Quinn said the work of the foundation had already helped 26,000 children. He described the initiative as a fundamental part of the club’s work.
He confirmed yesterday that Sunderland would play a charity game in Limerick next July to help raise funds for the trust while ensuring the game would be made available to those whom the trust is trying to support.
The former Republic of Ireland player also paid tribute yesterday to the Geoghegan family for allowing something so positive to stem from such a tragic circumstances.
“I am in awe and admiration of the family because what you guys are doing here is just so powerful. You are turning such a negative thing into the most positive thing that has happened in Limerick in many years,” he said.
“The whole thing would not be here if not for the Geoghegan family in allowing something very positive to come out of such tragic circumstances and the strength that should give everyone will be the powerful beacon that will keep this whole thing on track.”
Also at yesterday’s launch was Mr Geoghegan’s uncle, Tony Geoghegan, who said the family was happy to be involved in something positive before the first anniversary of his nephew’s death.
“From the family’s point of view, it’s about us taking back Shane’s memory,” he said. “I think this has been good for the family because they are very conscious that their Shane is not the Shane that everybody knows. Their Shane is the very likeable guy and so we just need to take Shane back for ourselves.
“He was the eldest cousin and looked up to by so many people. He was a leader and we are hoping to provide leadership for these kids,” Mr Geoghegan continued.