This article is from page 10 of the 2006-05-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE twin brother of an Ennis man who was murdered outside his Kerry home last year has spoken of his heartbreak, after the killer was jailed for life.
Nigel Landy was speaking at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Tralee, after Joe Greaney (35), of Pierse Avenue, Janesboro, Limerick, was found guilty of murdering Fergal Landy (27), a native of Considine’s Road, Cloughleigh, Ennis.
Mr Landy, a chef, died after he was stabbed in the heart, with what was described in court as a large chef’s knife, outside the flat in which he was living in Killarney, in January of last year.
Greaney was found guilty after a six-day trial. He had admitted manslaughter, but denied murdering his friend and former work colleague.
The jury reached a ten-to-two majority decision, after deliberating for nine hours. Afterwards, the deceased’s twin brother Nigel Landy addressed the court.
He said there had been a special bond between himself and the deceased, who was older by one hour and five minutes.
“Family was everything to Fergal. His parents, daughters, Kiah and Sorcha, sister and four brothers, he loved each and every one of us,” said Nigel.
“He was not only my twin brother. He was my best friend . . . What I wouldn’t give to hear him laugh and see him smile, just one more time,” he added.
Since his death, the family has had Kiah’s Christening, Sorcha’s Communion, his only sister’s wedding and the birth of his niece. Mr Landy also said the family’s thoughts were with those of Joe Greaney’s family.
The deceased’s partner, Rachel Doyle, told the court the past year has been incredibly tough.
She endured heartbreak when she brought her baby daughter to her daddy’s grave in Ennis, from the age of three weeks to kiss his cross and say goodbye to the daddy she would never know.
On Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Christmas time, she had brought their little girl to her daddy’s grave.
“The bond between Fergal and our daughter was so strong from the very beginning. He never got the chance to hear the word ‘daddy’ come out of her mouth,” she said.
“My life and the future that Fergal, our daughter and I had planned together has been ruined and taken from us forever. Fergal is my soulmate, who I love deeply and always will.”
She said the verdict would never bring Fergal back or help ease the pain of losing him, adding, “at least now he can rest in peace, knowing that justice has been done.”