A Kerry based priest, who was the victim of a savage assault in 2006
that shocked the country, passed away suddenly this week after nearly a
half century of service to the Diocese of Kerry.
Seventy-two year Fr Michael O'Leary suffered horrific injuries in
2006 when he was stabbed and beaten in the course of a suspected robbery
outside the presbytery of his former parish of Ballymacelligott in
County Kerry.
At the time, it was revealed in the national media that
Fr O'Leary was set upon as he arrived home from a local sale of work at
the community centre in the County Kerry village.
He was violently struck several times with what Gardaí claimed at the
time to be a long-handled knife or a bladed implement.
Fr O'Leary
suffered multiple injuries in the incident including several broken
bones and several wounds that later necessitated 66 stitches.
He also lost a lot of blood in the attack that Gardaí stated at the time was motivated by robbery.
Gardaí have confirmed that an investigation into this attack is still on going.
In a statement the Diocese of Kerry said, “Fr Michael’s energy and
enthusiasm for ministry never waned in his 46 years as a priest in the
Diocese of Kerry. He was caring and compassionate. He celebrated the
Eucharist with great reverence and care. As a colleague, we will miss
his companionship, humour, wit and stories. This is a void in our
community that will not be filled.”
At the time of his passing, Fr O'Leary was working in the parish of
Saint John's in Tralee and
he was buried in the cemetery in the local
church grounds earlier this week.
SIC: CIN/IE