ALMOST everyone in the Brittas Bay area knew Thomas Nevin. The back room at Jack White's Inn has played a central role in the local community the venue for retirement and christening parties.
As a close knit community, the whole of Ballinapark was saddened by the murder.
"When you know someone personally it affects you all the more," said Father Patrick Kelly, who administered the last rites to Mr Nevin. He said the pub was probably seen by the raiders as an "easy target".
The European Golf Club nearby does not have a clubhouse, and has been using the premises as a 19th hole" for some time. Following a tournament, a party of golfers attended a dinner at Jack White's on Monday night. One of them said yesterday they were all very shocked.
Tom and Catherine were very obliging people, and looked after the golfers well. Our 19th hole at Jack White's was like a home from home."
The chairman of the Irish Farmers' Association in Wicklow, Mr Sylvester Burke, said farmers held regular branch meetings in the pub. "They are in shock, stunned by this horrific and callous crime. People have had their sense of security undermined."
Another man who knew Mr Nevin said the killing had been a "dreadful shock".
I live near Aughrim and I travel up and down past Jack White's and often drop in for lunch. Tom was a quiet man who minded his own business. This should not have happened to him," Mr Tom O'Donnell said.
A regular customer, Ms Marjorie O'Hanlon, said. "I always drop into Jack White's at the weekend. Tom and Catherine have always been very friendly to me. I am shattered to see something like this happening."
Ms Maureen Doyle from nearby Ballymoyle said she was shocked, and blamed the bail laws.
Last night the thoughts of all the local people were with Mrs Catherine Nevin, who did not leave the premises yesterday. A floral tribute from the community was handed in to the pub last night.