The Dreadful Night Clara Will Never Forget
Thursday, 15 July 2010
IT WAS the night of July 6,1985 when the death of Fr Niall Molloy at the Flynn residents in Clara occurred, in what were extremely sinister circumstances.
That day the Flynns had celebrated the marriage of their eldest daughter Maureen to Ralph Parkes. A large marquee was erected in the garden of their sprawling mansion, in Kilcoursey for the many society guests who arrived to join in the festivities.
Fr Niall Molloy, a close personal friend of Richard and especially Teresa Flynn was not at the wedding. However, he later visited the home and apparently that night ended up in the bedroom of Mr and Mrs Flynn home, where they shared drinks.
It was sometime during that fateful night that Fr Niall Molloy lost his life.
Gardai were called to the house in the early hours after a local priest reported the death. The priest asked Gardai 'Is there any way you can keep it quiet?'
When gardai entered the bedroom they found Fr Molloy lying at the end of the bed, the room was blood spattered and there was an eight foot streak of Fr Molloy's blood on the floor. He also had a deep cut to his face.
Richard Flynn was charged with the manslaughter. However the trial collapsed after just three and a half hours, when Judge T.F. Roe directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty.
The jury deliberated for just thirteen minutes. The family of Fr Molloy, say Judge Roe knew both the accused and Fr Niall.
In his ruling Judge Roe stated that Fr Molloy had heart disease. However, in his evidence state pathologist Dr John Harbison had stated that it was not his opinion that Fr Molloy had died from a heart attack.
Judge Roe continued by saying 'It's a little bit unusual but not improper of me to say that no one intended any injury to be caused'.
Later the inquest jury said 'It is the unanimous verdict of the jury that Fr Niall Molloy died of acute brain haemorrhage consistent with having suffered a serious injury to the head'.
The story surrounding the death of Fr Molloy had the country aghast with all sorts of unsavoury rumours circulating and more than a hint of scandal encompassed the case.
Now 25 years on the family of Fr Niall Molloy are still seeking justice, they are calling for a full public inquiry into Fr Molloy's death and the investigation that followed.
Bill Maher a nephew of Fr Niall Molloy has set up a website asking people to add their name in seeking an inquiry.
This is the link to the site for anyone wishing to add their name or write a comment http://www.thepetitionsite.com/10/justice-for-fr-niall-molloy.
Many of those who have already added their name are from the UK, Canada, the United States as well as Ireland.
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