by Linda McGrory
THE parish of Desertegney has been shocked and
saddened by the violent death of a well known local
man in London.
Seamus Gill (52) died several days after sustaining
serious head injuries in an attack in Ealing, west
London, on Sunday, December 6. He remained on life
support in hospital for several days but the machine
was switched off on December 9. A man has since been
charged in connection with the attack.
Mr Gill lived in London for nearly 30 years where he
worked in the construction industry. His wife Anne
is originally from Ballycastle, Co Antrim and the
couple have a son and a daughter, who are in their
late teens and early 20s. Poignantly, Mr Gill had
built a house near Fahan, where he intended retiring
next year.
The deceased man was also a brother of Connie Gill
who runs a busy petrol station, grocery and
newsagents in the Parish. He and his three sisters
are said to be devastated by the loss of their
brother who was a regular visitor home.
Several hundred people attended Mr Gill's funeral
yesterday in the Star of the Sea Church in
Desertegney where the chief mourners were his wife
Anne, children Fergal and Ciara, and his siblings.
Local priest Fr George Doherty said the tight-knit
rural community was "totally stunned and saddened"
by the tragedy. "People are in total shock
particularly at the tragic circumstances of the
death. Seamus was obviously very well liked and
respected and there was a huge attendance at his
wake and the funeral," said Fr Doherty.
Mr Gill was fatally injured following an attack on
Ealing Broadway around 11pm on December 6. It is
understood there was an incident earlier and Mr Gill
may have stepped in to try and resolve it.
Two other men, including the victim's son and
another man in his 20s, were treated for minor
injuries following the attack.
A 31-year-old man, with an address in Ealing,
appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on December 10,
charged with grievous bodily harm with intent. It is
understood the man is also Irish. Meanwhile, police
in Ealing say they are keeping an open mind about
the motive of the attack and have appealed for
witnesses to come forward. Mr Gill was laid to rest
in the Star of the Sea cemetery following 11am
Requiem Mass yesterday. |
