The father of Mountjoy Prison murder victim Robert O’Connor has called for “no retaliation” over his killing.
Speaking out at his son’s funeral yesterday, Leo O’Connor called for no revenge attacks over the brutal killing of his son in a cell earlier this month. “I would hate to see any retaliation. I’m begging anyone if they hear anything to do something to stop it,” he told the congregation gathered at his son’s funeral at the Church of Our Lady Immaculate, in Darndale, North Co Dublin yesterday.
Gardai have yet to arrest four suspects in relation to Robert’s murder, as a separate Irish Prison Service investigation into the shocking incident continues. Robert, 34, of Snowdrop Walk in Darndale died five days after the attack - and it is feared he was murdered over a dispute surrounding an alleged assault that occurred outside of the prison.
Read more: Wake held for prisoner who died after brutal assault
Robert’s father described him as “very loyal and trustworthy,” as he spoke about how he used to go fishing in Howth and enjoyed betting on horse races. “I loved my son unconditionally,” he said in an emotional speech during the funeral Mass.
He also described his son as a “beautiful” person who had “lost his way” somewhat. Speaking of his son’s killing, Mr O’Connor added : “People who get life...they’ll all see their families again.
“I won’t get to see my son anymore and neither will my family or his friends, or all the ones that love him. I would hate to see any retaliation. I’m begging anyone if they hear anything to do something to stop it.”
He added that neither he nor his son would have wanted to see that happen. Fr Michael O’Connor, who celebrated the mass said life was “a gift not to be taken for granted” and that “Robbie’s breath was taken from him and this is the reality that brings us together.”
As previously revealed, officers believe tragic O’Connor, who was serving a recently imposed six year prison sentence for possession of a firearm, may have been lured to his death. Sources say CCTV footage shows O’Connor walking from his cell on Mountjoy Prison’s C1 landing to the C2 landing - where a trio of men were waiting to brutally beat him.
The three men are believed to have punched and kicked O’Connor several times while a fourth prisoner stood outside the cell and kept watch, officers believe. Sources also say a brave prison officer then ran into the cell and attempted to intervene but it was too late.
Read more: Mountjoy thugs suspected of killing inmate 'changed clothes' after vicious fatal attack
O’Connor was previously the victim of another assault just a few days before this attack - while he was housed in the D Wing of Mountjoy Prison. It is understood he was punched in that incident but told officers that he did not require medical attention.
Following that incident he was moved to the C1 landing - and a protection assessment was carried out the following day. As part of that assessment O’Connor told officers that he was not aware of any threat to his life in the C1 landing - and he was deemed to be safe enough to mix with the general prison population.
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