A SOMBRE AIR hung over Enniscorthy, Co Wexford this morning as the late David “Motcha” Walsh (29) made the final stretch of his journey from his Moran Park home to Enniscorthy Cathedral for funeral mass.
The father of three was stabbed to death at his home in Sydney, Australia earlier this month and his fiancée, 25 year-old Tina Cahill, from New Ross remains in custody having been charged with his murder.
Family and friends had anticipated gathering in celebration after the pair got engaged on New Year’s Eve, however those plans were dashed after the news of David’s death reached home and they now gathered with the task of laying him to rest.
As David’s coffin was carried up the aisle at St Aidan’s Cathedral, the notes of “The Voyage” rang out, a reflection of the journey that David’s remains had made to be finally laid to rest in his native Enniscorthy.
A youthful congregation of mourners packed the Cathedral and spilled outside onto the street as a bright yellow wreath bearing the word “Dad” was placed at the foot of David’s coffin and Fr Odhran Furlong got the service underway.
David’s brother Paddy gave a speech about his late brother.
“I stayed up again last night with David, just like we spent many nights up talking and chatting,” he said. “Everyone knows what type of character he was. I tried to sum him up in a few words, but I could never do it.
He was a real character. He put a smile on everyone’s face. He never took anything to seriously, except for his family. His siblings, his mam and dad and his three little girls were everything to him. Although he was far away, he never really left home. He has always been here. Now he’s here again to stay with his little girls.
“I can picture him with that cheeky grin and heartwarming smile looking down on us now with open arms and a smile,” Paddy concluded. “Motcha, until we meet again brother, rest in peace.”
Fr Odhran Furlong spoke about how the lives of Walsh’s family and friends had been “changed forever” and “no longer carry the same meaning and joy”.
David’s three young daughters were all present and played a role in the service. Erin offered a prayer of the faithful where she told the congregation that her “Daddy had fought the good fight.”
His other daughters Ava and Aine brought up the gifts and also read a poem in memory of their late father after communion.
“We can either shed tears because he’s gone, or smile because he has lived,” Ava said, while Aine continued: “We can do what he would want – smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”
To conclude the service, Fr Furlong thanked everyone present for their prayerful support in what he said has been a difficult few days for the Walsh family.
He asked that everyone present continue to keep the Walsh family in their prayers, particularly David’s daughter Ava who is making her confirmation at the Cathedral on Saturday.
Walsh was then carried from the cathedral by his family where he was greeted by a guard of honour by his former club Enniscorthy United with whom he enjoyed many years on the pitch.
From there, the funeral cortege emerged onto a Cathedral street lined with mourners and on to David’s final resting place.
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