Funeral details confirmed for Macroom shooting victim

HUNDREDS of people are expected at the funeral of Macroom shooting victim Derry Coakley on Sunday.

The 59-year-old will lie in repose in St Colman's Church in the town tomorrow evening from 5pm, with prayers at 7pm. His funeral Mass will be at 12 noon tomorrow, with burial afterwards in St Colman's Cemetery.

He is survived by his daughter Deirdre, his elderly mother Joan, and sister Siobhan.

His funeral details have been released as a man continues to be questioned about the murder.

The man, who is in his 60s, is being questioned at Bandon Garda Station as the garda technical bureau continue their investigation at the scene of the shooting near a farmhouse on Tuesday night at Raleigh North.

Gardai applied in court last night for the period of detention to be extended for a further 60 hours, from this morning at 9am. He was arrested on Wednesday morning and can be held for up to seven days.

Mr Coakley will be laid to rest in the coming days, as his family and the closeknit community in Macroom tries to come to terms with his death.

Meanwhile, at the scene, an examination was underway this morning of Mr Coakley's tractor and trailer, which he had been driving on Tuesday night. It is believed he was shot near the farmhouse and managed to flee the scene on his tractor. He raised the alarm with a friend but died at the scene.

The man was arrested on Wednesday morning and can be held for up to seven days.

Gardai are investigating whether the killing was carried out on the spur of the moment, or if there had been a lead up to it. But sources said there was no knowledge in the community, and no evidence of, a dispute between Mr Coakley and the main suspect in the case.

The shooting has left the family and friends of the dead man in shock, and locals said that both the dead man and the suspect are well known in the local community.

Mr Coakley had been living with his elderly mother and had a grown up daughter.

He was separated from his wife.

Gardai are appealing again for help from the public, particularly from anyone who may have seen Mr Coakley in the hours before he was killed.

Anyone with information can contact Macroom gardaí on 025 20590.