by Bernie English
THE ROADS around the quiet county Limerick village of Murroe re-echoed to the low rumble of motorbike engines on Wednesday as hundreds of bikers from all over the country turned out to pay their final respects to a slain brother of the road.
Gardaí were keeping a close eye on security as fears mounted of a possible reprisal for the shooting dead on Saturday of Andrew “Odd’ O’Donoghue (51), a native of Limerick city who has been living in Murroe with his partner Kate Danaher and their young daughter Ava.
On Sunday, just hours after Mr O’Donoghue was fatally wounded, shots were fired at an apartment in Castletroy where a member of the biking community lives. A man has since been arrested in connection with this incident.
Mr O’Donghue’s club, Road Tramps MCC, closed their Facebook page after being advised they should not have published photos and names of four alleged potential suspects.
Earlier, fears were further fuelled by a posting on a biker website which read “we won’t forgive and we won’t forget”.
Road Tramps MCC insist that they are a club and not a gang. Their members have been involved in numerous charity bike runs. It’s understood that Gardaí are pursuing inquiries into a dispute with another biker as part of their investigations.
The sawn-off shotgun used in the fatal attack and a car have since been recovered.
Four men, arrested since last Saturday remain in custody where they are being questioned by Gardaí.
Meanwhile, clubs including the midwest Dal Riada MCC, cancelled events planned for the weekend as a mark of respect.
Hundreds of bikers came to offer sympathy and support to Mr O’Donoghue’s family and fellow club-members on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
Members of the Roadtramps MCC led the cortege from Cross’ Funeral Home in Ballyneety to the biker’s clubhouse, where he was waked, just yards from the scene of the shooting.
Mr O’Donoghue was gunned down at close range as he walked towards the clubhouse on Saturday at around 3pm.
Gardai believe that the Lynwood Park native, who has been living in Murroe with his partner and 11 year-old daughter for some years, was targeted for simply being a member of the club.
Mr O’Donoghue was buried on Wednesday morning in Abington Cemetery in Murroe after Requiem Mass in Murroe Church.
Chief celebrant at the funeral ceremonies, Fr Tom Ryan said the murdered biker: “was a friend of mine, I knew him well and his partner Kate and their daughter Ava who is in sixth class in the local school. He was a lovely man. It was a terrible shock for the whole community,” said Fr Ryan.
“But the community is offering great support to her (Kate) and people have been really good.
At the funeral Mass on Wednesday morning, Mr O’Donghue’s daughter, Ava, placed his motorbike helmet on the altar. Draped across the coffin was his leather bike jacket, emblazoned with the Road Tramp’s MCC logo ‘patch’.
In his homily, Fr Ryan warned against thoughts of reprisal for the murder. “To move away from hatred, to be able to forgive, to show patience and tolerance; this is the message which must go out loud and clear at this time.
“Unless this message is heard and acted on dreadful things will continue to happen,” he warned.
Andrew’s brother Peter thanked the Gardaí, paramedics, club members and all who cared for his brother in the aftermath of the shooting.
“The truth is very powerful and will always prevail. Andrew’s sense of duty and the hopes for his family and club will be his legacy. He was a gentleman.”
Mr O’Donoghue is also survived by his mother Kathleen and his two brothers Peter and David.
