Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Murdered Vincent Ryan was a devoted new dad who died "suddenly and violently"

He was shot dead last week.

Updated 12.10pm

8/3/2016 Vincent Ryan funeral at the Church of the

AROUND 300 PEOPLE turned out for the funeral of Vincent Ryan in Dublin this morning.

The 26-year-old was shot dead while in a car outside his partner Kelly’ Smyth’s house on McKee Road in Finglas last week.

His funeral mass took place at the Church of the Holy Trinity earlier today, with a strong garda presence in the area, including armed officers.

A guard of honour accompanied Ryan’s coffin, with scenes similar to those at the funeral of his brother Alan Ryan who was murdered in 2012. The men and women in the guard of honour wore white shirts and black ties with lilies on them.

Ryan’s partner Kelly walked in front of the coffin as it made its way to the church, pushing their newborn baby girl Phoenix in a pram.

Friends

When the funeral procession reached the Grange Road, about 15 motorcyclists lined up along the road and revved their engines as the coffin passed by.

A motorbike helmet was also brought to the alter during the ceremony, to symbolise the young man’s love for motorcycles. His boss at the barber shop he worked at also brought up a set of hair clippers and a photograph of Ryan with his baby daughter was held up for mourners to see.

His girlfriend Kelly gave a moving eulogy, telling those gathered at the church what a good father he was, and how their last conversation was about getting married. She said that all of that had been taken from them. Both she and their baby girl would have to live without him.

She said a lot of people had never experienced true love, but she had that with Vinny, and when was taken from her, he took her heart with him.

“It’s so easy to take life for granted”

In his homily, Fr Gerry Corcoran said: “When a family member or close friend dies in sudden and tragic circumstances, our world is turned upside down in an instant.”

We begin to seek answers to questions we have. Why did this happen? Why now? Why Vincent? Why not to someone else? We can be angry with God for not intervening and preventing this tragedy from happening.

“It’s so easy to take life for granted,” he continued.

“We know we all must die, but most of us assume, or at least hope, that it will be when we are old. So when a young person dies suddenly and violently as Vincent has, it is a stark reminder that we should never take life for granted.”

8/3/2016 Vincent Ryan funeral at the Church of the

“In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has encouraged all of us to look inwardly at our lives before we point the finger at others and then seek the Lords forgiveness,” he continued.

Much has been written and said about Vincent in the media in recent days. But to his family, to those who actually knew him, he was a loving son, partner, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He loved his partner Kelly and the birth of their baby daughter Phoenix just six weeks ago brought great joy and new life to him.

He also spoke about Ryan’s love of cycling and motor biking.

“He played guitar and enjoyed music. He was a non-smoker, non-drinker and never used drugs. He enjoyed watching TV, especially the Discovery channel,” said the priest.

As the mass ended and Ryan’s funeral was carried out of the church, Ed Sheeran’s ‘Photograph’ was played over the speakers. Mourners moved on to Fingal Cemetery for the burial.

‘No retaliation’

8/3/2016 Vincent Ryan funeral at the Church of the

In a statement released at the weekend by Vincent’s brother Dermot Ryan on behalf of the family, the Ryans said Vincent was a “staunch and honourable republican” but was not in the IRA when he was shot.

The family stated that Vincent would receive a “traditional republican family funeral”, adding: “For the avoidance of any doubt he will not receive a military funeral.”

They called for “no retaliation” for his murder.

Read: Vincent Ryan’s family: He was a ‘staunch and honourable republican’ but not active in the IRA

Read: The brother of Alan Ryan has died after being shot in Finglas

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 66 comments
Close
66 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Omar Batistuta
    Favourite Omar Batistuta
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:06 AM

    Went by cemetery in bus 15 mins ago. Guards already there, up Malahide road a bit and squad car inside cemetery grounds. What a disgraceful waste of money

    564
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:45 AM

    They are there to protect innocent bystanders .

    368
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cholly appleseed
    Favourite cholly appleseed
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:58 AM

    At his brothers funeral. The mourners allowed a handgun salute and the coffin was led by provos dressed in paramilitary gear. Disgusting to see that in plain sight. The gardai should breathe down their necks, show them whose in charge. I’m impressed by the garda turnout. Innocent people need to be protected

    408
    See 9 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al-Right
    Favourite Al-Right
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 8:21 AM

    I agree! If many more of these IRA Drug dealers get shot then the Gardai budget for the year will be blown!

    There’s armed and also uniformed Gardai and multiple cars parked from the M1, Coolock, Malahide road, Donamede, Baldoyle….

    And this is a big area normally covered by one Gardai car generally, so any non-criminal will have to wait hours for a Gard to arrive, now they’re everywhere!!

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Iúrach
    Favourite Iúrach
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 8:37 AM

    Prove they were Provos, cholly.

    You can’t.

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 8:50 AM

    Chollys a tw4t pal, simple as

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tommy macdonagh
    Favourite tommy macdonagh
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 11:04 AM

    army sniper would be the best way to deal with any terrorist gun salute

    197
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute captain ireland
    Favourite captain ireland
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 11:07 AM

    Radicalized Irish fighting a stupid pretend war , Ryan’s death was for nothing , hard truth

    190
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 11:08 AM

    Are good republicans not provos now ? Why Don’t you prove he wasn’t Lùrach.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 11:24 AM

    Cholly is quite correct. This is a funeral of a high profile criminal. It will be attended by other high profile criminals who themselves are currently under threat. Let’s say that the Garda presence was minimal and those that shot both him and his brother launched an attack on those others attending the funeral, many of you currently crying about a waste of Garda resources would be the very ones shouting about why wasn’t their more Gardai.

    150
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Janette Revitup Laffan
    Favourite Janette Revitup Laffan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:18 PM

    Same as we can’t prove the gardai are involved in drug dealing ( some)

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:22 PM

    Whats their gear like Janette?

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Gallagher
    Favourite John Gallagher
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:07 PM

    Get that tricolour of that coffin…….. You were a thug Ryan! You done nothing for this country, you don’t deserve to be hailed as some type of martyr.

    520
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid
    Favourite Diarmuid
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:01 PM

    Delusional degenerates, hijacking our national flag and the true meaning of Irish nationalism.

    267
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denis Patrick Gill
    Favourite Denis Patrick Gill
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:07 PM

    That’s our national flag because of men like Vincent Ryan. If we were waiting for your sort, we’d still be under the Union Jack.

    17
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute johnny
    Favourite johnny
    Report
    Mar 9th 2016, 10:14 AM

    Patrick Gill you are quiet simply a simpleton.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Wool
    Favourite David Wool
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:07 PM

    That is an affront to the Irish tricolour right there

    300
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus McSpud
    Favourite Seamus McSpud
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 8:49 PM

    Some classy looking lads and lassies there.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Reece-Murphy
    Favourite Jack Reece-Murphy
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:50 PM

    You live by the Sword you die by the Sword..

    191
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute curious
    Favourite curious
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 2:22 PM

    What about those died because of war, bombings and shelling

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Reece-Murphy
    Favourite Jack Reece-Murphy
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 4:57 PM

    Depends Curious was it their choice? Or were they forced because of circumstance? This guy was a criminal pure a simple he died at the hands of other criminals he did not die a martyr or fighting for a cause big difference

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neil carroll
    Favourite neil carroll
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:12 PM

    Hundreds of fools

    187
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TheCredibleHulk
    Favourite TheCredibleHulk
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:01 PM

    Good riddance, Nothing but a toe rag criminal hiding behind their struggle…

    All they are is the biggest criminal organisation in the country pretending to be fighting for a cause

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Mc Gauley
    Favourite Michael Mc Gauley
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:55 AM

    He is still someone’s son. RIP

    132
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony_Kilduff
    Favourite Tony_Kilduff
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 8:18 AM

    Feel sorry for his daughter but that’s about it really.

    204
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 11:26 AM

    So were the vicims of his crimes. You earn respect in life, what respect did he earn ?

    135
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alien8
    Favourite Alien8
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 11:31 AM

    She’ll get through it, but some people have worse names. Oh, you mean the gangster father dying…

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony_Kilduff
    Favourite Tony_Kilduff
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:53 PM

    Yes, he was a gangster. No, I don’t condone anything he did, but she’s just a kid who’s lost a father she probably adored. You don’t know if ” she’ll get through it”. My sympathy is with her alone.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:08 PM

    Agreed Tony. The only innocent victim here. Its just a pity her adoring dad didn’t get an office job. He’d be still around to provide for her. He choose the life style, not her.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony_Kilduff
    Favourite Tony_Kilduff
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:45 PM

    I agree, as I said I don’t condone anything he did or the lifestyle he chose. With parenthood comes responsibilities, he obviously didn’t get that.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna Moss
    Favourite Donna Moss
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 8:08 AM

    With all the garda presence there should be no gun salute today and if there is its a complete waste of garda time and resources.

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute phil
    Favourite phil
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 11:35 AM

    Yes but what do you want to see happen if there is ? 1) The Guards approach armed men as they take out the guns. Leading to a shoot out with children and elderly people there. 2) Guards to fire open fire at them ? I think if they do open fire they should be fillowed and arrested after the ceremony.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna Moss
    Favourite Donna Moss
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:34 PM

    I would expect checkpoints and searches prior to the service. There should be no guns available imo. That is what Intel is for.

    37
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Meagher
    Favourite Dave Meagher
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:32 PM

    Sorry but personally the only concern I’d have is for the gardai there, maybe the air force might help out.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris
    Favourite Chris
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:08 AM

    RIP another poor mother left heart broken ☘

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
    Favourite Daisy Chainsaw
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:46 PM

    She should have raised them to be more than thugs and criminals then. Maybe she wouldn’t be so heartbroken.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute niamh ryan
    Favourite niamh ryan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 2:18 PM

    Another drug dealer shot dead. Yawn. Next story

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony_Kilduff
    Favourite Tony_Kilduff
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:50 PM

    His family saying it will not be a ” military funeral” is an insult to anyone that has ever served in the armed forces. Big difference between a drug dealing criminal and a soldier.

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Lowe
    Favourite Leo Lowe
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 11:30 AM

    All IRAs are synonymous with death.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin
    Favourite Eoin
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 8:32 AM

    Republicans are a hard breath of men unlike most of the little Willy trole pussys here . Rip to him

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Briny Boy
    Favourite Briny Boy
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 9:14 AM

    RIP my arse. He was a lowlife thug, just like his filthy brother. Good riddance to the pair of them.

    307
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 11:11 AM

    The only pushing he’ll be doing now is pushing up the daisies. No loss to civilised society.

    175
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Doe
    Favourite John Doe
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:09 PM

    A hard breed? How many stories have we heard over the yrs of young lads who crossed them being attacked by gangs of 6 or 7 of these hard men. They confront their problems with guns, bombs or gangs. You think that makes them hard?

    97
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Corcoran
    Favourite Andrew Corcoran
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:59 PM

    @Colonel Grant did the innocent van driver who was shot dead in the SAS Loughgall ambush shit his pants too?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Reese
    Favourite John Reese
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 2:05 PM

    Drug dealing good for nothings are Enemies of the State….it should be illegal for OUR flag to be put on the coffin of such animals.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Luco
    Favourite Stephen Luco
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:05 PM

    So Glad Everybody here New the Guy really well ….May the lad RIP he was killed and again the Irish media painted a picture of him.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Murray
    Favourite Dave Murray
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:21 PM

    A Toe rag, you live by the sword and it’s ill gotten gains, then be prepared to die by the sword. You sound like you knew him so you must’ve known what he was dabbling in?

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:09 PM

    His previous convictions also paint a picture, and not a pretty one.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rach
    Favourite rach
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:09 PM

    A devoted dad who sold drugs to other kids, yeah right

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jax Maxwel
    Favourite Jax Maxwel
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 9:31 AM

    Fecking electric rail cars with their little willies are a nuisance alright. https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/es/trole

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jax Maxwel
    Favourite Jax Maxwel
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 10:23 AM

    Ah meant in reply to Eoin.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jinn
    Favourite jinn
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:43 PM

    Drug dealers used to act with impunity in donaghmede before they came along … They genuinely cleaned up the area.i dont agree with their views or politics but that’s the truth.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:13 PM

    It’s called protection rackets. They protected drug dealers, got paid for doing so, then paid the price. Karma

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denis Patrick Gill
    Favourite Denis Patrick Gill
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:05 PM

    The middle class Journal readers don’t want to hear that.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denis Patrick Gill
    Favourite Denis Patrick Gill
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 6:18 PM

    God bless you Vincent. You were kind and gentle, always caring for other people. Everyone who knows you knows that. You dreamed of a better Ireland, and for daring to dream you lie in the sacred soil you loved so well, the sacred soil of Éirinn. It’s sad to see that so many Irish people now take their opinions from the British tabloid media and TV garbage like Love\Hate, with no thought whatsoever of their own. But, so be it. Vincent Ryan I salute you. Ar dheis Dé go raibh do anam ró-uasal agus i measc laochra na nGael go raibh do scáth.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vikki Behan
    Favourite Vikki Behan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:41 PM

    Rest in Peace

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gggordon
    Favourite Gggordon
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:28 PM

    are you serious? the guy was responsible for unbelievable pain in other’s lives. Listening to the comments from the service you’d swear the lad was a saint.

    It’s a good thing that someone like him has been removed from the population

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
    Favourite Daisy Chainsaw
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:47 PM

    Rot in pieces.

    33
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denis Patrick Gill
    Favourite Denis Patrick Gill
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:06 PM

    What an ugly slapper you are.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
    Favourite Daisy Chainsaw
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 9:17 PM

    Anyone ever notice that the easter lily badge looks like a vagina… and is worn by tw@ts?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richie C
    Favourite Richie C
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:49 PM

    RIP comrade. Chucky r law.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 2:19 PM

    Are you talking about chucky from that movie ?

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TheCredibleHulk
    Favourite TheCredibleHulk
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 6:59 PM

    Another troll. Don’t give his the satisfaction of a red thumb

    8
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richie C
    Favourite Richie C
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 7:01 PM

    You’re only an aul west brit

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vikki Behan
    Favourite Vikki Behan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 12:41 PM

    Rest in Peace

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TheCredibleHulk
    Favourite TheCredibleHulk
    Report
    Mar 8th 2016, 1:02 PM

    Hope he rots in hell

    54
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.