Josef Pavelka ‘remembered with love’, says Ennis priest

Ennis priest Fr Ger Fitzgerald told mourners last night that Czech national Josef Pavelka (52) was among the poorest of the poor and “is remembered here with love”. Fr Fitzgerald was speaking at a service at Ennis Cathedral following the removal of Mr Pavelka’s body to the church where he spent much of his time while in Ennis.

The body of the homeless alcoholic was found on a laneway beside Ennis’s O’Connell Street on May 4th.

In April, Mr Pavelka’s plight received national attention when District Court judge Patrick Durcan said that it was a scandal that Mr Pavelka was living in a public toilet.

Mr Pavelka’s best friend, Piotr Baram, is currently attending a residential programme for alcohol addiction and was not in attendance last night.

Mr Pavelka’s funeral Mass and burial is taking place in Ennis today after efforts by the authorities to repatriate his body failed when family members confirmed they were not seeking his return.