Funeral details have been announced for Co Limerick student, Niall O’Brien, who died following an alleged assault in Greece last Monday.
Mr O’Brien, from Monaleen Park, Castletroy, died in Chora, Ios, where he had been holidaying with friends.
He was due to begin his final year of a Degree course in financial mathematics at the University of Limerick, and had secured a part-time job at Castletroy Golf Club where he was also a member.
He had previously lined out for the Aisling Annacotty soccer team, and he was a key player for Broadford Hurling Club, in south east Clare, where his father Mike, a well known retired prison officer hails from.
A 20-year old man, with an address in Dublin, was charged on Thursday, with causing Mr O’Brien’s death.
The man was conditionally released on €8,000 bail after appearing before a public prosecutor and judicial investigator on Naxos, Greece.
The man, who was not identified, was ordered to sign on once a month at the Greek Embassy in Dublin until his trial.
An informed legal source in Greece said it may take a number of years before the trial gets underway, due to a backlog of cases in the Greek criminal justice system, which the source said, was “partly” due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Niall O’Brien (21) died tragically while on holiday in Greece. Niall will be sadly and forever missed by his loving family, huge circle of friends and all his teammates,” read Mr O’Neill’s obituary notice.
“Niall is survived by his adoring parents Mike and Anne, his broken hearted brothers Cian, Eoin and Alan, grandparents Basil and Rita Boyce; uncles and aunts Cathal & Joanne, Diarmuid & Fiona, Ray & Sandra, Ollie & Fiona; Eileen & James, James & Brid, Pat & Caroline, Pauline & Stephen, PJ & Mary, John & Noelette, Tony & Helen, Arthur and Niall’s many dear cousins.”
“Always in our hearts. May he Rest In Peace.”
Mr O’Brien’s remains will be “reposing at his parents residence (87 Monaleen Pk, Castletroy, Limerick Eircode V94 T4AP) this Sunday (5th September) from 3pm to 7pm”.
“Arriving for Funeral Mass on Monday (6th September) at 3:30pm in Our Lady help of Christians Church, Milford (Eircode V94 X832) followed by burial afterwards in the St Peter’s Church grounds, Broadford, Co. Clare.”
“Funeral cortège will leave the family home at 3:10pm approx on the way to the Church.
Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.”
“Messages of sympathy can be sent to Mc Mahon Funeral Directors.”
Mr O’Brien’s funeral mass will be live streamed at www.churchservices.tv/milfordl
The accused man’s lawyer, Alexis Anagnostakis, said his client will be fully contesting the accusation.
Greek police, and the public prosecutor’s office on Naxos, refused to release the name of the accused, who is charged with causing “lethal bodily harm” to Mr O’Brien.
It’s alleged the two men became involved in an altercation resulting in Mr O’Neill sustaining a fatal head injury.
The offence against the accused carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, Mr Anagnostakis said.
He said he was not identify the defendant for “personal data” reasons.
The Greek police and the public prosecutor’s office on Naxos were also asked to provide the accused’s name. A police spokeswomen and a spokeswoman for the prosecutor both said they would not release the accused’s name. They did not give a reason.
Mr Anagnostakis said that, in his opinion, the evidence against the accused was “weak”.
“I appeared with him in front of the investigating judge; we stated our position against the accusation, and the judge and the investigating prosecutor unanimously felt there was no reason to detain him until the trial,” Mr Anagnostakis said.
“In my opinion, the accusation against my client (is) weak, and his family would like to extend their condolences (to the victim’s family) over the tragedy, but, it was not their son’s fault.”
Mr O’Brien’s remains were being returned to Limerick with the assistance of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. The Department of Foreign Affairs was providing consular assistance.
A tribute released by Castletroy Golf Club, read: “Niall was part of the Irish Junior Foursomes team in 2016, holing the winning birdie putt on the first play-off hole to win the Munster title.”
“Niall was a very popular and well-liked member of the club who was due to commence work in the club bar next week after he returned from his trip to Greece.”
“We are devastated that Niall will no longer be able to join us, and the tragedy of his untimely death has deeply affected all of us.”
