Funeral of Brandon Ledwidge told of ‘party animal with joint in his mouth and hammer in his pocket’
“We will miss your laugh, your smile, your jokes, your loving and caring ways,” she explained, adding that he could be found at all hours of the morning with “a bottle of fast gas and a balloon in his mouth with a bottle of vodka.”
Remains of Brandon Ledwidge arrive for his funeral in St Canices Church, Finglas
A 23-year-old Dublin man who was shot dead on his doorstep has been remembered as a party animal with a joint in his mouth and a hammer in his pocket.
Brandon Ledwidge was targeted as he answered the door on Barry Road in Finglas at about 6.50pm on Saturday November 18.
Gardaí believe his death was related to the drugs trade in the area.
Brandon Ledwidge
Finglas village came to a standstill late this morning as relatives carried his silver-grey casket to St Canice’s Church as young men and teenagers performed wheelies and noisy burnouts on motorbikes, spinning the back wheels so fast that the tyres smoked.
Despite an obvious garda presence, bikes were wheelied up and down the street before and after the funeral mass.
One of the symbols of Ledwidge’s life brought to the altar was a motorbike helmet.
He is survived by his parents Sabrina and John, siblings Byron, Ellie, Kaci and Daryl, his girlfriend, and extended family and friends.
Many mourners wore T-shirts with Mr Ledwidge’s photo printed on it, and some female mourners wore red ribbons and bows in their hair.
Youths on motorbikes rev engines at Brandon Ledwidge's funeral in Finglas
In a tribute read by a cousin, his sister Kaci said he played a big part in everyone’s life.
“We are all absolutely heartbroken. A lot of memories were made, and a lot more memories should have been made. You were the life and soul of every party, always with a smile on your face no matter what,” she wrote, adding that he was not without “a big fat joint in your mouth and a hammer in your pocket”.
“We will miss everything about you. You loved a good trip to Amsterdam and Tenerife. We will miss seeing your face and hearing your voice around the house and everywhere you were and coming in saying ‘Ma, what’s for dinner. I’m starving?’,” she added.
“We will miss your laugh, your smile, your jokes, your loving and caring ways,” she explained, adding that he could be found at all hours of the morning with “a bottle of fast gas and a balloon in his mouth with a bottle of vodka.”
People on motorbikes as the funeral of Brandon Ledwidge took place in St Canice's Church, Finglas. Photo: Collins
His sister added: “You took a big chunk of our hearts with you. You were a party animal. You loved a good party and the drink. You were stone mad and made of steel.”
A cousin of Mr Ledwidge said they were always together like peas in a pod. “You wouldn’t see one without the other. You were the big brother I never had,” he said to applause.
During his Homily, Fr Richard Hyland made reference to the Gospel, saying Jesus said we will be judged on the care we have for each other, and we are to give that care to everyone, no matter whom they are or where they come from.
“You reap what you sow. If you sow badness, you get badness back. If you sow goodness, you get goodness back,” he added.
After Requiem Mass, burial took place in Glasnevin Cemetery.
