The father of a Gaelic football player killed in Mayo last year has spoken out on the anniversary of his son’s death.
Joseph Deacy, 21, from St Albans, died in Swinford in County Mayo on Saturday, August 12, 2017, prompting Irish police to launch a homicide investigation.
A year on and with no conclusion in sight, Joseph’s father Adrian Deacy has said: “Someone knows something as to what happened and they have got to have the courage to come forward, or develop a conscience and come forward, and talk to the police about what they know.
“It’s a close-knit circle and until they come forward this misery is going to continue.”
A man in his 20s was released without charge in May after being detained by Irish police in relation to Mr Deacy’s death.
Two men were arrested last November in relation to the death, but they were released without charge.
On the Saturday Joseph died, Adrian went home to pick up some things and has not been back there since, owing to the trauma associated with the home he and Joseph shared.
While he was in Ireland, he asked friends to find him somewhere new to stay, but had to turn down a place in St Albans as it was still too connected with Joseph.
“There are still no-go areas for me as it triggers memories. I do not need new reminders. His death will affect me until the day I die.
“It’s not just me, but a lot of people are deeply affected by it.”
He also does not have any photos of Joseph in his new home.
To honour his memory, Joseph’s old Gaelic football club, St Colmcilles, played a team of his friends who called themselves the Hammers after his love of West Ham, at a game in Swinford on Sunday, August 12.
St Colmcilles’ public relations officer Shane Gill said: “It was a huge turnout and it was really great to see the community, the club and the community of St Albans turn out for that. It was quite unprecedented.”
“It was about having a weekend Joseph would have enjoyed, which is a bittersweet way of looking at it.
“It was great for the community, great for the club and also great for us and Joseph’s friends to meet.”
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