A FATHER-of-two who died following an alleged assault in Limerick City last weekend was remembered at his funeral mass, held today (Wednesday), as a “loveable rogue” who was “loved by many”.
Ger Curtin, (42), from Railway House, Spit Land, Old Cork Road, Limerick, died from injuries after he was allegedly struck with an implement at a house in Garryowen, Limerick, shortly before 5am, last Saturday (November 4).
Joe Cahill, (44), Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, is before the courts charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serous harm to Mr Curtin, in the early hours of November 4.
Mr Curtin, who was known to Gardaí, and had convictions for burglary and theft, died “way too soon”, Fr Frank O’Connor, told mourners who attended the funeral mass, held at St John’s Cathedral, Limerick City.
Mr Curtin’s family were in “great shock and sadness” and trying to cope with the “tragedy and suddenness” of his death, Fr O’Connor said.
A woman, reading a eulogy on behalf of Mr Curtin’s family, thanked paramedics “who arrived at the scene of where Ger’s life was so brutally and callously taken from him, and who tried their best to save him”.
The woman also thanked a Garda family liaison officer, appointed to assist Mr Curtin’s family after his death, “for her support and kindness at such a hard time”.
“Ger was one of 15 very united and loyal siblings. Growing up, he was known for his good looks, his cheeky smile, a real loveable rouge, that’s probably why Lyndsey (his partner) could never stay mad at him for too long.”
“He was loved by many, he was as mad as a brush, but with a heart of gold.”
“He was known for his pristine clean appearance and he didn’t go far without baby-lotion on his face, or cleaning his Reebok (trainers) with a toothbrush.”
“Ger was a real generous person, the type that would take the socks off of his feet and give them to you – any one of his brothers would often say (to Ger) that’s a nice sweater, where’d you get that?’, and his response would be, ‘here, do you want it’ as he tried to take it off his back”.
“He was a mammy’s boy, and Helen (his mother) saw no wrong in him. He was always ‘her Ger’.”
“Nothing Ger done ever fazed Helen, not even threatening her to give him a (cigarette) or he wouldn’t give her back her false teeth,” she joked.
“No matter what he done, his dinner was always in the oven for him, and the key was always on the door.”
“Ger, your life might have been taken from you far too soon, but your legacy will live on forever, you are loved, you are missed, and you will always be remembered.”
“We hope you’re settled in up there in heaven, even though you probably had to sneak in the back door… Party on up there, Ger.”
A number of large photos of Mr Curtin stood on easels outside the church with ‘Cuz’ emblazoned on them and surrounded by blue and white coloured flowers.
Following the mass, a sky-blue coloured casket holding Mr Curtin’s remains, which had earlier been shouldered to the cathedral from Cross’s Funeral Home, in the city was taken by hearse for burial to Mount St Lawrence (extension) Cemetery.
Gardaí have made a number of appeals for information in relation to Mr Curtin’s death and asked that anyone with video footage or dash came footage, make it available to investigating Gardaí, at Henry Street Garda Station (061-212400).
