Community ‘heartbroken and bewildered’ over tragic death of Niall
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Niall Coyle, who died after being attacked in Holland last week.
THE COMMUNITY of Four Roads has been left "heartbroken and bewildered" followinig the tragic death of local man Niall Coyle, who suffered fatal head injuries following a vicious attack last week in the Netherlands.
It's understood that Niall (33), a native of Correal, Four Roads, was the victim of an unprovoked attack outside a late night restaurant on Tuesday of last week near the port city of Rotterdam.
He passed away last Wednesday afternoon, sparking widespread shock and grief in Four Roads and the wider community.
“The hearbreak and bewilderment is palpable in the local community following the tragic and untimely death of Niall. This is devastating and a nightmare for his family and our prayers and sympathy are with them at this time," said local parish priest Fr Francis Beirne, who condemned the assault.
“It's repulsive that he was the victim of an unprovoked attack. This is a terrible violation of human life, his family and the local community," said Fr Beirne.
At time of going to press, Dutch police were questioning a 45-year-old ex-military man in connection with the incident.
Niall was a talented electrician and his work had taken him all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand and Norway. Before his travels, he had worked locally for a number of years with electrical contractor Mark Crosby.
He had only been three weeks in Holland after travelling there from Ireland before Christmas and was plying his trade as an electrician on an oil rig off the Dutch coast.
Fr Beirne recalls a man with a lovely nature to him. "I saw him through primary and secondary school. He was big in stature but very gentle in nature. And even though he travelled to so many countries, he always wanted to come home, he had such wonderful friends here. The sad reality is that he is coming home in a different way now," said Fr Beirne.
Tommie Connolly, a former teacher of Niall's, always recalls his gentle disposition.
“I taught him in primary school in 5th and 6th class and he made his confirmation in 1989. He was a very pleasant pupil and always had a sense of humour. He was very popular and had an infectious smile. I was talking to him at Christmas when he was at home and he always created a lot of happiness when he was in your company. "Niall was so inoffensive. He was gentle and kind and would not want to cause trouble for anyone," said Mr Connolly.
Niall played football and hurling in his younger years. He won an U-16 county with Four Roads in 1992 and played under-age for St Aidans. Niall had booked a flight to attend the Four Roads hurling/camogie dinner dance last Saturday before his fatal attack in Rotterdam. The function was cancelled as a mark of respect.
His remains are expected to arrive in Dublin today (Tuesday) and brought to the local community later in the evening. The removal is expected to take place on Wednesday evening followed by Funeral Mass and burial on Thursday. Niall is survived by his father and mother Eamon and Anne and his three brothers and six sisters.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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