This article is from page 18 of the 2013-05-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
THE death of a homeless man on the streets of Ennis earlier this month may draw greater attention on the plight of people badly in need of help, a court has heard.
Judge Patrick Durcan was speaking last week following the death of Czech Republic national Josef Pavelka (52).
Mr Pavelka’s body was found in a laneway beside Supermac’s Fast Food restaurant on O’Connell Street on Saturday May 4.
Mr Pavelka and his Polish friend Piotr Baram had lived rough on the streets of Ennis.
Their plight attracted nationwide attention in April when Judge Durcan described as a “scandal” a situation whereby Mr Pavelka had spent time living in a public toilet.
Judge Durcan read about the men’s circumstances in a report handed into court by the Probation Services. Mr Pavelka appeared in court on public order charges.
Emergency accommodation was secured for Mr Pavelka and Mr Baram at a tourist hostel in Galway but they returned to live rough in Ennis.
When his case was called at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Durcan was informed that Mr Pavelka had passed away.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said no evidence was being offered in the case.
Judge Patrick Durcan said, “This man’s life in this country is a matter of which nobody can be proud.”
Acknowledging that Mr Pavelka had serious “self-inflicted difficulties” with alcohol, Judge Durcan said;
“It is shameful and sad that this man died in the circumstances that he did.”
The court previously heard that Mr Pavelka acquired a certain “celebrity status” after his plight came to national attention.
Judge Durcan said this status reflected the generosity of the people in Ennis towards Mr Pavelka.
Judge Durcan said he hoped that Mr Pavelka’s death would alert more people to the plight of people in need and “impel them to act.”
Judge Durcan added, “He always struck me as a kindly gentleman.”
Ennis Town Council has denied that the men lived in the two public toilets, saying it has no evidence that they were used for accommodation purposes.
Judge Durcan said he was “concerned” by the denial of the men’s living conditions by the local authority.
Mr Pavelka was a client of solicitor Daragh Hassett of Ennis based lawfirm, Hassett Considine solicitors.
Mr Hassett said that through his involvement with Mr Pavelka, he witnessed the enormous good work that charities and other organisations do for people in need.
He said that unfortunately help came too late for Mr Pavelka. Mr Hassett said, “He was a gentle man in every regard.”
Inspector Tom Kennedy said Mr Pavelka was always easy to deal with from a garda perspective. He added; “Most of our concern was for his own safety.”
Insp Kennedy said very good progress had been made in contacting the deceased’s daughter and sister in the Czech Republic.
He said discussions were ongoing with Czech authorities with regard to burial arrangements.
Judge Durcan commended the gardaí on their handling of the matter.