Hundreds of mourners, including stars from the world of boxing paid their respects at the removal of boxing champion Kevin Sheehy in Limerick this evening.
Mr Sheehy, 20, a five times Irish champion, who also won the Hull Box Cup heavyweight championship belt in Hull, England, two weeks ago, was killed in a hit-and-run incident last Monday.
Former WBO middleweight champion and Olympic boxer Andy Lee joined Mr Sheehy’s devastated family and friends at Cross’ Funeral Home, Limerick.
Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea, who also attended the removal, said afterwards: “It’s a horrendous loss to Kevin’s family, his fiancée, and to the city as a whole. He had all the capabilities of been one of the greatest sporting heroes of Limerick.”
Senior members of Mr Sheehy’s St Francis Boxing Club turned out in force to remember their fallen “champ” who was tipped to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
A massive queue of mourners snaked around nearby streets and laneways to the funeral home, where dozens of floral tributes were delivered in homage to the talented sportsman.
Some of the floral tributes included a boxing ring, and boxing gloves, as well as a large heart-shaped bouquet which included a photograph of Mr Sheehy and his fiancée Emma Colbert, who is expecting their first child, in the centrepiece.
Senior and junior members of St Francis boxing club are to perform a guard of honour following Mr Sheehy’s funeral mass at Holy Family church, Southill, 11am tomorrow, as the talented boxer is brought to his final resting place at Mount St Oliver Cemetery.
In response to the club’s tribute, Mr Sheehy’s father, Kevin Sheehy snr wrote in a Facebook post: “Thank you to everyone at St Francis, it was his second home, your gesture will be very much appreciated.”
Mr Sheehy’s body was found at 4.40am, July 1, just off Hyde Road, a short distance from his home John Carew Park.
A black Mitsubishi SUV was discovered abandoned near the city’s Gaelic Grounds GAA stadium, a distance of approximately 3.4km away from the scene on Hyde Road.
A 29-year old UK national appeared before Limerick District Court last Wednesday, charged with Mr Sheehy’s murder.
Logan Jackson with an address at Longford Road, Longford, Coventry, was remanded in custody to appear before the district court via video-link, this coming Tuesday, July 9.
