A WELL-KNOWN local man who was killed in a fatal assault outside of his home in Limerick City last week will be laid to rest this Friday (July 18).
And the family of the late Michael Hayes have thanked all of his neighbours in St Michael’s Court, Watergate, especially Vinny Lee, for their “prompt action” on the night in trying to save the 71-year-old’s life.
Tributes have poured in across this week for the “pure gentleman” who would “do a good turn for anyone”.
Mr Hayes’ was critically injured in the fatal assault last Thursday night (July 10) and was rushed to University Hospital Limerick, where he was pronounced dead.
A man in his 40s was arrested and charged with the murder of the popular pensioner, and appeared before Limerick District Court.
It is understood Mr Hayes – who once played the role of Santa for delighted families at a celebration in his local bar on Christmas week – was accosted as he went to investigate a disturbance in his small community estate.
He will be reposing at Cross’ Funeral Home on Gerald Griffin Street this Thursday (July 17) from 5pm. Requiem Mass will take place at 11am on Friday morning at St John’s Cathedral in Limerick City, followed by funeral at Mount St Oliver Cemetery.
A statement on RIP.ie read that “Michael’s family would like to sincerely thank all of the neighbours in Watergate, especially Vinny Lee, for their prompt action on the night.”
The Garryowen Residents Association posted a tribute to Mr Hayes on their Facebook page, expressing “heartfelt condolences” to the Garryowen native, describing him as “an extremely pleasant, gentle person”.
Claddagh Ireland responded to the post that if Michael “could do a good turn for anyone he would”, adding that “there wasn’t a bad bone in his body”.
“Mikey, our family respected you so much and you us” Claddagh Ireland wrote. “A great neighbour back in the good days when we were all so happy in Kilmurry Court. If everyone was like you the world would be a far better place.”
A number of Mr Hayes’ relatives also posted online tributes to him. One of his grandchildren wrote: “Your wife, Philly, will be waiting for you. The only grandfather I ever knew, you always looked after us growing up.”
Another mourner wrote that Michael “was the best, he was like a grandfather to me. He done everything for me all these years, I will miss him so much. He never done anything wrong to anyone. RIP. Have the best bed in heaven.”
Others described Mr Hayes as a “pure gentleman” who had a “heart of gold”.
One of his neighbours, Geraldine Costello, paid tribute to the late Mr Hayes, saying: “Michael was a lovely boy, he’d always go out of his way to do a good turn for you.”
“His dog, Daisy, is crying all the time because Michael is not there.
“I was very fond of him, I’m a good friend of his, I’ve known him since I was young and I’m very sorry that he is gone,” Ms Costello added.
Her niece, Tracy Coleman, described Mr Hayes’ death as “shocking”.
“He was a really lovely man, and he would always go out of his way and do whatever do you.
“There are no words to describe it, a lovely man doing his own thing, and his life just gone now like that.”
Ms Coleman said that Michael was “young for his age, every day he was always going for walks”.
One mourner in an online post recalled that Mr Hayes “wonderful character. I remember the year he dressed up as Santy for the children, it was Christmas week it was in Dessie O’ Donnells Bar on Wickham Street in Limerick City. Everyone, adults and children, had a absolutely wonderful time.”
The late Garryowen native is survived by his sons Tom, Michael, Brendan, and Joe, his beloved grandchildren, and a wide circle of adoring family, friends, and neighbours. He is pre-deceased by his parents Mike and Esther, and his siblings Joe and Rosie.
Mr Hayes was found with critical injuries outside his home at St Michael’s Court at around 11.30pm last Thursday night.
He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick, where he was pronounced dead in the early hours of Friday morning.
The State Pathologist conducted a post-mortem and an investigation is ongoing.
Gardaí set up a large cordon around St Michael’s Court following the fatal assault, appointing a senior investigation offer to lead the full-scale investigation. The Garda Technical Bureau attended for a forensic examination.
Gardaí are not believed to be looking at anyone else in connection with Mr Hayes’ death outside of the man arrested and charged.
