Davy remembered as the unsung hero who helped everyone
By Hayden Moore
FRIENDSHIP was the core message of the funeral mass for Walkinstown lad David “Davy” O’Beirne as his friends and family remembered him as a “reliable friend” and “a very loveable character”.
In what was a celebration for all the good that Davy brought to this world in his 23 years, his brother Alan spoke at the close of the mass by comparing him to his favourite character from The Lord of the Rings books, saying “I always found it strange how his favourite was Sam, but now I understand why.
“Sam isn’t the main character, he’s the unsung hero who helped everybody and didn’t look for any credit, and hearing some of the stories about David over the last few days honestly reflect that.”
David O’Beirne was laid to rest on Wednesday
Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of the Walkinstown man at St Jude’s Church, in Templeogue on Wednesday to show their respects to the family, 12 days after David’s untimely passing.
David was on holiday in Austin, Texas with a few friends when he was struck by a vehicle in the early hours of the Friday morning after his arrival in the states.
Members of St Jude’s GAA, with whom he was a previous winner of the Intermediate Hurler of the Year Award, formed a guard of honour as the hearse arrived at the church, which was followed by his parents Helen and Jimmy, and his siblings Alan and Rachel.
Chief celebrant Fr Brendan Carr remembered Davy as a “reliable friend who can bring you to the bright side, and to the positive side of who you are”, as well as “the nutty professor . . . because of his extraordinary intelligence and love of study”.
Davy was working for Trinity College at home and overseas promoting the college, after graduating from UCD with a First Class Master’s Degree in History, with his brother Alan calling him “the smartest man that I’ve ever met with brains to burn and his brains were backed up by a savage and tremendous work ethic”.
Alan continued saying: “He was an eccentric and completely original. He had broad dreams and a diversity of interests that would baffle most people – he’s the only one who could sit there blaring techno music and studying the 1916 Rising.”
Among the gifts brought up to the altar were a picture of David, his St Jude’s jersey, history books, and his speaker, with members of Dublin Fire Brigade and Kevin Street Garda Station in attendance.
A very loveable character
Davy was remembered for a number of things across the Mass by family and friends, including his love of his dogs Rossi, Bailey, Molly and the pups who played a huge part in his life, his love of friendship, his intelligence, and not knowing how to dress himself – with his sister Rachel having to dress him before he’d leave for a night out.
His mother and father took to the altar, with his dad Jimmy saying “our son David would walk into a room and when he looked at you, you would smile. If he spoke to you, you’d laugh.
“He sang his way through the day, although he hadn’t a note in his head. But that would be our son David – a very loveable character.”
David left behind his parents Jimmy and Helen, his brother Alan and sister Rachel, as well as his grandmother Dolores, and a large circle of friends. Donations, if desired, can be made to the Kevin Bell Trust Fund who were very supportive to the family.
