‘Gentle soul’ laid to rest
Mourners were asked to be more sympathetic and kinder to the homeless community as murder victim Francis ‘Frankie’ Dunne was laid to rest yesterday.
Held in Saint Mary’s on the Hill Church in Knocknaheeny, the funeral heard that Frankie was a gentle soul, a true friend and a kind man who had a heart of gold.
Fr Gregory Howard said during the mass: “You, the family, described him to me as a person who possessed an inquisitive mind. You said and I quote: ‘Frankie was interested in everything; in nature, informing himself, interested in racing and cooking’.
“He recently cooked coddle for his family. He loved tripe and drisheen. He tried to make people laugh. Frankie never held a grudge.”
Frankie’s dismembered body was found towards the end of last month in a garden at Castlegreina House on Boreenmanna Road.
Gardaí are continuing to investigate the 64 year old’s gruesome murder.
It is understood gardaí are hoping to speak to an eastern European chef and have confirmed that he is a person of interest.
They are said to be communicating with Interpol about the man as their local investigation continues.
Fr Howard continued: “Although Frankie’s remains lie before us in death, his spirit is free because he loved and is loved. Love therefore is the very axis from which we exist. Love is our calling. Love is our destiny. Love is the very reason for our existence.
“That is why our concern and our prayers are with those who have been robbed of their loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. We journey as companions with Frankie’s family in your pain. Many people have done so generously and magnanimously this past week. Frankie’s family are grateful for the outpouring of sympathy, prayer and practical support they have received.”
The priest said that Frankie suffered from his own demons which he tried many times to overcome.
“We read in Sacred Scripture (Proverbs 24:16) that the most perfect person falls seven times a day,” Fr Howard said.
“But is it not true that a person’s weakness draws out goodness from others? It is said that adversity brings out the best in people and affluence brings out the worst,” he added.
Before his death Frankie had been living in a Cork Simon supported house on Boreenmanna Road.
Fr Howard concluded: “Finally, the greatest lesson of all is this: the next homeless person we meet, we might treat them with a little more sympathy and kindness.”
Speaking about the investigation, a garda spokesperson said: “We are appealing to both motorists and pedestrians who may have been in the Boreenmanna Road area at that time to come forward.
“We are particularly appealing to motorists to make any camera footage from the area available to gardaí.”
Anyone with information can contact Bridewell Garda Station on 021-4943330, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or any garda station.