The murder of a defenceless 90-year-old farmer has shocked the country. Paddy Lyons, of Ballysaggart, in rural Co Waterford, was found dead in his kitchen on Saturday after neighbours became concerned as to his wellbeing.

Mr Lyons lived alone and was last seen the day before. Gardaí quickly launched a murder investigation.

On Wednesday, 26-year-old Ross Outram from Clonmel was charged with the murder of Mr Lyons. Judge Terence Finn remanded him in custody to appear at Dungarvan District Court next Wednesday.

A quiet man

“He led a simple life,” said neighbour Tommy Veale of the late Mr Lyons.

“He enjoyed social occasions. loved a dance, and went to the odd match. He was very much part of the local community.”

Paddy worked hard all his life, Veale added, farming his 30-acre holding until he was well into his 70s, when he leased the land to a local farmer.

“He always kept a few cows and a few cattle,” added Veale, who said that it was a community where people look out for one another. Ballysaggart is a deeply rural area in north Waterford, about 10km from Lismore.

Reaction

ICMSA president John Comer said that the murder of Mr Lyons had horrified the country and had – yet again – highlighted the particular vulnerability of elderly farmers living on their own.

“Even allowing for the fact that extreme violence seems much more commonplace across every facet of society, there is something truly shocking whenever an elderly person is terrorised in their own home,” said Comer.

“Sentencing for violent crime should reflect society’s disgust – and, just as importantly, where someone is convicted of violent crime, appropriate punishments should be handed down and served in full.

“‘Justice has to be done and be seen to be done,’ was the old axiom and we would do well to remember it. Mr Lyons’ family and his wider community have all our sympathy,” said Comer.