Family and friends mourn the loss of a ‘lovely’ man

By Mary Dennehy

HUNDREDS gathered last Saturday at St Maelruain’s church in Tallaght Village for the funeral service of passionate conservationist and family man, Micheal McCoy.

The body of the father-of-three was discovered close to a forest track on Ballinascorney Hill, near Ballinascorney Road Upper on Friday, September 30, after the 64-year-old left home to go walking with his two boxer dogs, but never returned.

Investigations into Mr McCoy’s death are still ongoing, after post-mortem results suggested that he died from injuries sustained during an assault.

Since the discovery of his body, a 41-year-old man was arrested and questioned at Tallaght Garda Station in relation to the incident but has since being released and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Last Saturday, Mr McCoy’s family and friends, who described him as a quiet man, devoted to his family, gathered to remember their loved one in the church where he married his wife Caitriona.

Canon William Deverell, who led the funeral service, told The Echo: “I knew Micheal very well, he was a builder and helped us out a lot around the church and with St Maelruain’s Church of Ireland School in Jobstown.

“He was the most obliging guy and always helped people way beyond what was expected.

“He was also really interesting, I used to love sitting down with him for a cup of tea.

“He was just a really lovely, lovely guy who lived for his family.”

An active conservationist, Mr McCoy, who had just completed a degree in Trinity College, was a leading member of the Dublin Mountain Conservation Group and has in the past been involved in various campaigns and raised a number of objections to developments.

Gardaí have confirmed to The Echo that they are following a number of lines of inquiry, including Mr McCoy’s connection to any planning issues or campaigns.

Gardaí are this week continuing with their investigations into Mr McCoy’s death and have encouraged anybody with information, or those who may have been in the Ballinascorney area, between 6.30am on September 29 and 4am on September 30, to come forward.

Anybody who may come across the family’s boxer Fia, which is still missing, is also encouraged to contact Tallaght Garda Station or visit the Find Fia Facebook page.

Call the incident room at Tallaght Garda Station on 666600 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.