Ennis locals pull together to bury man who died on Christmas Day

A funeral has been held for a man who died in Co Clare on Christmas Day but remained in a mortuary for more than a fortnight as there was no money to pay for his burial.

Marek Skiba (51), orignially from Poland, was described during the Mass at the St Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ennis on Monday as "a soft soul who only wanted a beautiful ordinary life" .

Alan Cooke, a writer and film-maker who spoke on behalf of Mr Skiba’s friends, told mourners that “Marek’s life was marked by hardship and struggle but also the kindness of others”.

The case of Mr Skiba, who died on Christmas Day, came to light when homeless campaigner Josie O’Brien last week told RTÉ Radio Mr Skiba had died at his apartment in Ennis on Christmas Day but had remained in the mortuary as there was no money for a funeral.

Local undertaker Cyril Cusack said he would provide his services and comedian Brendan O’Carroll later volunteered to pay the funeral costs.

Mr Cusack said there was a very good response from the public when Mr Skiba's case became known. Musicians offered their services for the funeral for free, a woman paid for flowers and Clare County Council offered a burial plot for the deceased.

‘Felt sorry’

The undertaker said he was motivated to offer his services for free “because I felt sorry for the man. There is an old saying ‘leave no one above ground’ and I volunteered then”.

Mr Cusack said he expected O’Carroll would be in touch “when it all dies down”.

Ms O’Brien described the funeral mass and burial at Drumcliffe cemetery as “beautiful”.

Mr Skiba was friendly with the late Josef Pavelka who came to national prominence in 2013 after it emerged the homeless man was sleeping in a public toilet. He was found dead in an Ennis laneway two months later.

At the burial, Fr Ger Fitzgerald said Mr Skiba was being buried not far away from his old friend Mr Pavelka. “They are re-united once again and having a party together,” he said.

Mr Cooke said Mr Skiba had worked in Mallow, Co Cork but fell on hard times. He said an angel named Bernie came into Mr Skiba’s life and looked after him. The pair became the closest of friends, he added.

Mr Cooke said Mr Skiba “had no family but Bernie and when he died he said he would wait for her in Heaven”.

Speaking after the burial, Bernie - who did not want to give her surname - said: “Marek was a lovely fella. Very nice, very good and thoughtful but of course the drink — he was an alcoholic.”