Father disgusted by theft of wreath to murdered son

HEINOUS The memorial to Joe Deacy is pictured after it was vandalised and robbed last week.

Anton McNulty

The father of Joe Deacy, who was murdered near Swinford 12 months ago, has expressed his disgust at how a floral tribute to his son was stolen and vandalised last week.
Twenty-one-year-old Joe Deacy from St Alban’s in Herfordshire, died in Beaumont Hospital on Sunday, August 13, 2017 after he was discovered unconscious outside a house at Gortnasillagh, Swinford at around 6am on Saturday, August 12.
Last Sunday week. the family and friends of Joe held a memorial service to mark the first anniversary of his death and laid a wreath outside the house where he was found. A wreath with ‘Justice for Joe’ written on it was also laid at the junction, leading up to the house along the N5 between Bohola and Swinford.
Three days after the wreath with ‘Justice for Joe’ written on it was laid at the junction, it was stolen and other tributes were vandalised. The theft was discovered in the early hours of Thursday morning last, by a relative who along with other family members are said to be devastated by the act.
Joe’s father, Adrian Deac,y who last week visited the site for the first time where his son was found, asked how anyone could stoop so low to steal the wreath.
“I am saddened and disgusted that anyone would stoop so low as to steal our Memorial Wreath. The people of Mayo were so kind and considerate to all my family and friends last weekend, in what was a very emotional time for us all. For somebody to now carry out this criminal act sadly tarnishes the kindness shown to us,” he said.

Memorial weekend
Over 150 of Joe’s friends travelled to Mayo from London to mark the first anniversary of his death where a memorial football match took place in Swinford between his local GAA team in St Alban’s, St Colmcille’s and Hammers GAA – a team comprised of Joe’s friends and family and named after his favourite soccer team, West Ham.
The game and the laying of the wreath was an attempt to highlight the murder and to seek assistance from the public in advancing the on-going garda investigation. Two people were arrested earlier this year in connection with the murder but were released without charge and nobody has yet been charged with his murder.
Despite the theft and the vandalism of the tributes, Adrian Deacy said it will not put them off fighting for justice for his son.
“Please rest assured that whilst the wreath has been removed, our fight for justice for my beloved son will continue on. As we have repeatedly stated, someone knows something, and hopefully they will have the courage to come forward and assist the Gardaí in finding the perpetrator of this brutal murder,” he said.
The theft of the wreath has been reported to gardaí and they are currently investigating the matter. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 9372080.