London’s Irish community has held a vigil for an 87-year-old grandfather who was brutally murdered on the streets of the city.
Thomas O’Halloran, who was originally from Ennistymon, County Clare, was stabbed to death while sitting on his mobility scooter in Western Avenue in Greenford on August 16, this after busking to raise money for Ukraine.
On Sunday, people came together to remember the popular pensioner near the scene of the brutal attack. Traditional musicians performed in memory of Mr. O’Halloran, who played the accordion.
44-year-old Lee Byer has appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court charged with murder. Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.
Thomas’ younger brother George, 74, described his brother as a “kind and gentle man."
“He loved to play music. He did not drink or smoke but he could sit in a bar all night long with a bottle of coke and listen to the band play.”
His second cousin, Terrence O’Flaherty, said: “Tommy’s family lived next door to us growing up. He was the eldest of 14 children and left for the UK around 70 years ago. It’s a terrible tragedy, it’s just sad to get to 87 and to have your life ended like that.”
A GoFundMe page set up by neighbor Skye Dunnage reads: “Tom did not deserve this tragic end to his life and as you can imagine have left his family devastated beyond belief.”
Fine Gael Clare Senator Martin Conway spoke of the shock in County Clare at the murder.
“Tommy as he was known left Ennistymon for London 71 years ago but travelled home almost every year until about ten years ago,” he said.
“He was a very popular man in the Greenford area of London where he regularly played music and often busked for charity. Most recently, he raised money for the Ukrainian community living in London.
“I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the O’Halloran family both in London and Ennistymon at this very difficult time for them.”
