The father of a murdered Cork plasterer yesterday paid an emotional tribute to his son at his funeral Mass saying that while the 24-year-old had his own "struggles and demons" he was generous, kind and loving towards his family and friends. Olivia Kelleherreports.
Brian McKee was attacked and stabbed near his home in Ballinure Avenue in the Cork city suburb of Mahon last Saturday morning after a row broke out between him and a group of individuals. When the emergency services arrived shortly after 5am they found Mr McKee lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery but died on Sunday afternoon.
At the Church of the Holy Cross in Mahon, Pat McKee, father of Brian, said his family had been overwhelmed by the support of the people of the area. He thanked parish members for helping prepare to bring their son on "his final journey".
He also expressed his appreciation for the floral tributes which neighbours had placed at the spot where Brian died saying they had been the source of "comfort and consolation". Mr McKee said he believed God had intervened in Brian's life to give him peace from his troubles and struggles.
"He intervened to give him peace. Nothing else makes sense. Our son is free. He is out there roaming the fields. He is fishing in the river and he is in the countryside he loved.
"Brian was generous to a fault," he said. Mr McKee said his son would live on through his young children Katelyn (5) and Chelsey (2). He thanked hospital staff and paid tribute to gardaí who investigated the case.