Paul KeenanCleric speaks of ‘darkness’ on parish since murder
A priest in the Dublin parish where Tom O’Gorman met his violent death last weekend has led tributes to the popular young man.
Fr Denis O’Connor, from Our Lady Mother of the Church in Castleknock, where Tom served for many years as a Minister of the Eucharist, said “hearts are broken” at the loss of a parishioner who was “a good, decent and upright man in every way”.
Unshakeable faith
“He was a distinguished man, marked by great gentleness,” Fr O’Connor said, adding, “he was confident and secure in his faith, indeed blessed with an unshakeable faith and was very much a part of our parish.”
Reflecting on Tom’s links to life issues and the Pro Life Campaign especially, Fr O’Connor said “from the beginning to end, he had a great respect for life”.
Tom worked for The Iona Institute and was a contributor to The Irish Catholic and numerous other Catholic media outlets.
Having visited the scene of Tom’s death, where locals have placed flowers and candles, Fr O’Connor said “there is a great darkness over the parish and everyone is upset and distressed” but, despite this, “everyone has shown concern for Tom’s family who are now suffering, as well as the gardaí and medical people who were first called to the scene”.
Expressing the certainty that “the Lord was with him to comfort him at the end”, Fr O’Connor concluded “he is at the table of the Lord now”.