THE family of a Churchill man are in ‘turmoil’ as they struggle to come to terms with the suspicious death of their father and husband, a priest told mourners at his funeral today.
The late Kieran Callaghan
Fr Michael McKeever told a packed congregation at the funeral Mass for Kieran Callaghan (50), that the local community are “struggling to make sense” of how he died.
Gardai probing the death of the father-of-four believe he suffered head injuries as a result of an assault.
Gardai have only said they are carrying out a ‘full investigation into the circumstances’ surrounding the death.
However Garda sources now say they believe he may have suffered up to three blows to the head, one of which caused a haemotoma which resulted in his death.
Mr Callaghan was last seen at around 6pm last Friday and his body was discovered on Sunday afternoon at his home at Roshine.
Fr McKeever, told hundreds of mourners that a mist had descended over the local community.
“Over the past week there has been great turmoil as the family try to come to terms with what happened Kieran. Confusion and great pain is evident, but we have to be strong at this difficult time,” he said.
Fr McKeever, described Mr Callaghan as a ‘kind man’ who was well known and liked in the local community.
“Somebody summed Kieran up well this week when they told me Kieran was kinder than he wanted people to know,” he said.
“The support of the community for the family during the wake has been evident. It is a particularly difficult time for the Callaghan family, but as a small community we will rally behind them to make things as easy for those grieving. We are united in prayer,”
“Kieran, was the youngest in his family, and the apple of his mother’s eye. Kieran will be so sadly missed by his family, work colleagues at Glenveagh National Park and the community. Each one of us has our own special memory of Kieran and that will be the sustaining force. The huge crowds at the funeral speaks volumes.
“We pray the family will find strength for the future as they have a difficult cross to bear and a heavy burden to carry on their shoulders, but hopefully with the support of the community their pain and suffering will be eased,” Fr McKeever added.
St Colmcille’s Church, overlooking picturesque Gartan Lake was packed to capacity and hundreds had to stand out in the glorious sunshine for the Requiem Mass today.
The chief mourners were Mr Callaghan’s wife, Josephine, sons, Ethan and Rory, daughters, Tara and Sarah-Marie, brothers, Charlie, Dee, Edward, Paddy and sisters, Evelyn, Rosemary and Sally as well as a wide circle of family and friends.
A team of detectives are investigating the incident and there was a strong garda presence in the area this week.
Mr Callaghan worked as a bus driver at Glenveagh National Park.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milford garda station on 074-9153060 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.