'A real gentleman' - Irish man killed in London remembered
The family of an 87-year-old Irish man who died after he was attacked while walking home in north London last month have described him as a "real gentleman".
John Mackey had been running errands on the afternoon of 6 May when he was set upon near Goodchild Road.
He had just been to his local supermarket and kebab shop.
The pensioner sustained head injuries and died in hospital two days later.
A man was arrested and charged with Mr Mackey's murder and robbery. He is due to appear in court again for a plea hearing on 29 July.
Mr Mackey, originally from Callan in Co Kilkenny, had been living in London since the age of 19.
"Ultimately, he was just a charming, simple man, a real gentleman," his niece Margaret Kennedy recalled.
In her sitting room, alongside her brother Adrian, she sifted through several photos they recently found of their beloved uncle.
"We found these pictures and it's uncle John surrounded by women and it really gave us a kick because, in his early life, it really showed what a charmer he was," she said with a smile.
Mr Mackey was a devoted Arsenal fan and a proud Irish man.
He was one of 11 siblings, four of whom are still alive, and he is also survived by his 22 nieces and nephews.
His nephew Adrian Kennedy said John was an "intrinsic" part of the local community in Finsbury Park and well known in Irish circles.
Mr Mackey had long become known for his signature fedora hat and 'man about town' persona.
"He was a bit of an enigma because even up until recently we were never quite sure whether uncle John was plain old 'Uncle John' or whether he was a millionaire," Adrian joked.
Almost six weeks on since his death, the family say they are still in a state of shock over what happened to their uncle.
Mr Kennedy said his uncle was in "good form" on the day of the alleged attack.
"He spoke to his sister Betty in Australia at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and she said that he was in great form. He said that he was going to go out and get himself a bit of dinner and a few bits at the Co-Op.
"He went out, bought himself a few provisions, cornflakes, a Sheppard's pie. He stopped and got himself a sausage and chips on the way home from the kebab shop and 5.22pm in the evening he was attacked literally in sight of his front door," Mr Kennedy said.
Ms Kennedy said it is hard to come to terms with what happened because he was just an "old 87-year-old man".
"It was utter shock, that it could happen to him," she says.
The family say they have been taken aback by the warm words and tributes from all who knew him.
They were also sent a card and flowers from Arsenal Football Club.
"We were overwhelmed actually, we thought it was so lovely that Arsenal Football Club sent the family some flowers and a lovely card, which was unnecessary, but lovely. It meant a lot to us all actually," she said.
John Mackey will be laid to rest in his native Callan, Co Kilkenny, on Thursday 26 June following requiem mass at the Church of the Assumption.
His coffin will be adorned with the Arsenal flag and his signature hat will sit above it as his family get their final opportunity to say goodbye to the uncle who leaves behind so many fond memories for them.
The family say they would like him to be remembered for the life he lived.
"We're all still in shock because uncle John was a constant, he was always just there. We knew if we went to London we would always nip on the tube up to Archway to see him," Ms Kennedy explained.
Her brother Adrian said that it's the "way he died" that's hard to come to terms with.
"Nothing is forever, we all die, but it's how it happened. It's just left this general air of disbelief, shock, and this incredibly deep sorrow," he said.
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