Maughan family recall ‘quiet, family man’

Maughan family recall ‘quiet, family man’


Edwin McGreal

Family members of the man shot dead in Castlebar on Wednesday have paid tribute to him, saying ‘he will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten’.
Owen Maughan (28) died at Mayo General Hospital on Wednesday night as a result of his injuries after he was shot three times in the back at Top Oil, Moneen, Castlebar on Wednesday afternoon.
Two close members of his family who spoke to The Mayo News described Owen as ‘a lovely person’.
“He had a smile on his face for everyone and was a helpful person. He was a quiet, family man,” one relation said.
Owen Maughan was the fourth eldest of seven sons, and he and his wife, Ann, married eight years ago.
They had no children. The family is originally from Castlebar, but they lived in England for a number of years, returning to Castlebar in 2000.
While members of his family were involved in a feud with another Traveller family, which the Maughans believe is the reason for his killing, they were keen to stress that Owen Maughan himself was not involved in the feud.
Owen had worked for a number of years as a skilled labourer with various companies in the construction sector, but he had struggled to get work since the economic downturn.
His big interests were soccer and cards. He played with both Castlebar Town and Castlebar Celtic until recent years, and would occasionally play a game of astroturf soccer in the summer time.
His family recalls ‘a mad Manchester United fan’, whose favourite players were Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney.
He played cards regularly, with Texas Hold ‘Em poker being his favourite. He played in a number of venues around Castlebar.
“He was well known around town and got on with well with people in town,” a family member said.
They said he was ‘just going about his business’ on Wednesday, filling a drum of water at Top Oil, when he was shot three times in the back. The early diagnosis was grim.
“There was no way back for him. The wounds were too serious and the chances of living too slim,” said a family member.
The Maughans also thanked those who helped them in recent days.
“The family would like to thank all the staff at Mayo General Hospital for their help and all the doctors who tried to keep him alive.
We’d like to thank the Castlebar gardaí for their help too,” they added.