10-19-2010 Ireland:Funeral of attempted castration victim Johnny Golden delayed for tests on body
The funeral of a pensioner who died from what’s believed were injuries sustained in a vicious assault a month ago has been postponed so that the State Pathologist can carry out further tests.
John Golden (73) was attacked in his home at Nedd, Doogary, Killeshandra, on Tuesday, September 7, and was found in an unconscious state the following morning by a neighbour.
His funeral was due to be held on Sunday last at Killegar Parish Church but Dr. Marie Cassidy made the request for a further examination of the body in a bid to determine precisely the nature of his injuries and the exact cause of his death.
It’s understood that Mr. Golden was the victim of an attempted castration and that pliers and a poker may have been used in the assault. It’s believed that he suffered head and internal injuries.
Rumours have been circulating that Mr. Golden was gay or a paedophile but these have been strongly denied by neighbours who claim that John’s name was being blackened by others.
Superintendent Tom Maguire from Ballyconnell Garda Station, who is leading the investigation into the attack, confirmed to The Anglo-Celt this week a young male was arrested on Saturday, September 11, and detained under the provision of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He was later released without charge.
Mr. Golden’s body was discovered in an unconscious state by his neighbour Seamus Galligan, who lives quite close, at about 9.40am on Tuesday, September 7. Mr. Galligan alerted the gardaí and ambulance services.
Mr. Golden was taken to Cavan General Hospital, where he remained in an unconscious state until he was pronounced dead at 7.50pm last Wednesday, October 6.
A post mortem was carried out on his body at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, last Thursday by assistant State Pathologist Dr. Khalid Jabbar.
Mr. Golden was an orphan and had lived in the Doogary area for the past 35 years. He was raised in Sunbeam House in County Wicklow and it’s believed he never knew his parents. In Leitrim he worked as a farm labourer and a mechanic.
Lily Galligan, wife of Seamus, said: “We are devastated at the death of John who was a good neighbour and a lovely gentleman.”
His death came as a shock to the whole community and he was well liked. He lived in Killegar before moving to Doogary.
When Seamus discovered John in his home, he thought he had suffered a turn. “He saw the door open and went into the bedroom and found John on the floor.”
The Galligan family are annoyed that rumours have been circulating since Mr. Golden’s death that John was gay or was a paedophile.
They claim he was neither. “John was never the subject of any complaint of a sexual nature to the gardaí.” He was a private individual who kept himself to himself. He was most happy when repairing vintage tractors and machinery.
Mrs. Galligan said he would visit them regularly, as well as other neighbours, and he was not a heavy drinker though he did take the odd bottle of stout. He was a good living man who also liked music.
Rumours that he screened pornographic films at his house 10 years ago have been vehemently denied by local sources.
It is understood that an investigation was launched at the time but no charges were ever brought due to the lack of evidence.
Superintendent Maguire has appealed to the public for their assistance.
He would not confirm if Mr. Golden had been sexually assaulted.
Gardaí are particularly interested in hearing from any witnesses that may have been in the vicinity of Nedd, Doogary between 8pm on Monday, September 6, and 11am on Tuesday, September 7.
They are asked to contact Ballyconnell Garda Station on 049-9525580. People are also asked to ring the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800-666-111 or contact any garda station. Mr. Golden’s body has not been released yet and his funeral will not take place until Thursday or Friday. ..Source.. by Anglo Celt
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