Friday, October 30, 2009

The Death of Gearóid Walsh

Sad news yesterday on the death of Irish backpacker Gearóid Walsh in Sydney following a late-night fight. But this report from the Sydney Morning Herald is humbling in how it shows the forgiveness and complete lack of bitterness of Gearóid's mother Tressa, who says she doesn't want her son's killer to go to prison. While it was clearly not an attack of such viciousness as often makes the news, the calm of Tressa Walsh in reacting to such a tragedy is admirable. The SMH reports a man has turned himself into police; I don't know if Australian law takes into account pleas for clemency but it would be best for all if Tressa Walsh's words were heeded.

Irish backpacker bashed in Coogee dies | Gearoid Walsh | I don't want my son's attacker to go to jail, says mother of dead backpacker


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

guy threw first punch = guilty. Why all the sympathy?

JC Skinner said...

Unlawful killing is, well, unlawful.
You do the crime, you do the time. Full stop, the end.

Anonymous said...

Sympathy is for the family and especially for his mother who had no part in that incident, but who is going through unimaginable grief right now.

Anonymous said...

Gearoid Walsh started this fight. this "guilty" man you are talking about was defending himself. If Gearoid Walsh had his way he would have left Tobias Simmons bleeding in the gutter or worse. This was a terrible accident and just know that if you have ever raised your fist in anger then this could have been you. I am sure this man is not a killer and feels awful about what he has done and the ignorant thaughts of people who have never been affected by somthing like this dont help so before you say some stupid shit like that, check your facts idiot.... in responce to anonymous above.

kuhj said...

In response to 'anonymous' above the guy is guilty. You cannot hit somebody like that and expect a person to walk away uninjured.