HEARTBREAK AND ANGUISH AT TRAGIC DEATHS
Communities in Fermoy and Glanworth are this week coming to terms with the tragic deaths of two local young men in their 20s.
A murder investigation is underway following the discovery of the body of 25-year-old John McManus of Fermoy shortly after 5.30pm last Thursday, November 6 in an open area close to the village of Ballyduff, near Listowel, Co Kerry.
In a separate investigation gardai are currently awaiting the results of a postmortem on a 26-year-old Glanworth man who died of a brain haemorrhage less than two weeks after suffering an alleged assault in the village.
Gardai hope the post-mortem on Denis Nolan will determine whether or not his fatal condition was brought about as a result of his alleged attack, for which they have appealed for witnesses.
Mr McManus’ body was found as gardai in Cork city concerned for his safety appealed to the public for help after he was reported missing having not been seen since October 30. Forensic examinations have been carried out on traces of blood found in Mr McManus’ home at Verdon Place on Wellington Road in Cork city where it has been reported that Mr McManus may have been attacked with an implement and fatally wounded.
Media reports have also speculated that curtains were removed from the flat and used to clean up the blood. The discovery of Mr McManus’ body last Thursday came after a man was spotted jumping over a ditch at the Ballyduff field, getting into a car and driving off by gardai on routine patrol. He was stopped and the car impounded for not having insurance.
Later that day gardai returned to the field to discover Mr McManus’ body in the undergrowth. A man in his 20s was arrested in Tralee that night. John McManus was the son of Geraldine and Pat McManus, who runs a tyre company in Fermoy and nephew of local insurance broker and businessman Charlie McCarthy.
Meanwhile gardai in Fermoy believe that Denis Nolan, who worked as a lorry driver, was set upon by a group of young men on Glanworth’s Main Street during the early hours of bank holiday Monday, October 27.
Despite his injuries Mr Nolan made his way home and worked the next day, travelling to Clonmel for work where he began to feel unwell. Following a check-up at the local hospital it was discovered that Mr Nolan had a brain haemorrhage and he was subsequently transferred to Cork University Hospital where he was put on a life support machine.
Mr Nolan’s condition did not improve and he passed away last Sunday, November 10. Denis Nolan, known locally as Dinny, is the son of Denis Snr, who runs a chip shop in Glanworth.
“The whole village is devastated, Glanworth Councillor Frank O’Flynn said this week,
“My heart goes out to the family and the entire community is saying heartfelt prayers for the Nolans. He was a lovely young fellow and the village is in shock. For a quiet peaceful community something like this comes as an upset. We’re shell-shocked.”
Gardai in Fermoy are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the alleged assault on Denis Nolan on the Main Street Glanworth on 27th October 2008 at approximately 1.30am to contact Fermoy garda station on 025-82100 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111.
Published:
Thursday 13th November 5:32pm
