A Dublin community has been rocked by the death of a grandad who was "loved by all".
Tommy Mooney of Blanchardstown died on Friday, October 28 – only two months after being diagnosed with cancer. Son Anthony said the loss of his father has left a big hole in the hearts of his family and the community of Whitestown.
Anthony told Dublin Live: "It’s heartbreaking. He got diagnosed with cancer eight weeks ago and now he’s just gone.
Read more: Charlie Bird cries tears of joy following touching tribute from Pieta House
"He was the kind of man who looked after everybody and we all looked up to him. He was a family man. He loved all his kids and grandkids."
Anthony said he's been inundated by thousands of tributes and stories of his father from family, friends, and well-wishers. Tommy, 64, was originally from Finglas and worked as a barman at Noctor's on Sherrif Street.
Anthony said the cancer diagnosis came as a shock to the whole family. He said: "He wasn’t well so he went to hospital and they were going to do some tests and he had a fall in the hospital and hurt his head.
"They did an MRI and CT scan and that’s how we found out. So if he hadn’t had the fall, we wouldn’t have known."
Speaking fondly about his dad, Anthony said: "He was a very funny fella. Two years ago, he went to Meath with all the lads. He was very happy-go-lucky and said, ‘I’ll show you how to drink’ and before we knew it, he got drunk and fell asleep and we were all still awake."
Tommy's brother Mick shared a hilarious story from when a time he went hunting with Tommy and his brother-in-law, Rennie. He told Dublin Live: "We used to go hunting rabbits out in Trim.
"And we were going hunting one of these mornings, must have been a Saturday or Sunday morning. And we were all geared up, freezing cold morning, wet, damp morning.
"We were all dressed up and ready to go. We always went up there. The first thing we did was crack up a fire.
"Do a big fry and have that before we head out. And when we were ready to go.
"Tommy rocks in with his lime green suit. Think he had white shoes on if I'm not forgetting. All gorgeous. We were like no way, no way. Couldn't talk him out of it. Usual Tommy. ‘Ah no, I'll be grand sure’."
Mick said someone gave him a coat to put over the suit. The trio had breakfast and headed out but Tommy had a few more pranks up his sleeve. He said: "Every time we went to shoot someone he'd make a noise.
"Make a laugh or a joke. He'd rustle the trees. Just acting the goat as usual."
Mick added: "We had a good laugh about it which we always did. But we always enjoyed our days out no matter what we did.
"Hail, rain, or snow we'd go out and enjoy ourselves. And that's what happened. We all had a great time. Made a great laugh about it and I'm sure we hit the village in on the way back."
Tommy will be laid to rest on Wednesday morning. A funeral mass will be held at the Church of St Philip the Apostle, Mountview, at 10am followed by a burial.
Read next:
Dublin Marathon 2022 winners as 25,000 take part in record-breaking day
Woman hospitalised after car rams through cemetery wall in Dublin crash
Gardai launch appeal to find missing 14-year-old girl from Kildare
Gardai launch probe into suspected 'arson attack' on house in Lucan
Dublin weather: Heavy rain and blustery conditions as thousands set to take part in Dublin Marathon
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
