The cousins and relatives of Denise Richard (nee O’Brien) in Mitchelstown are fervently praying for Denise’s recovery, as they are still reeling from the shocking news that she was caught up in the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombings, her young son Martin, being one of three fatalities.

As news of the two explosions in Boston broke across the airwaves and newspapers on Monday, families in Labbamologga and Mitchelstown were thinking of Denise, her husband Bill and three children and hoping that they were safe and away from danger, only to learn hours later that 8-year-old Martin Richard had been killed, Denise was injured and Jane had lost a leg.

Speaking to The Avondhu, Denise’s cousins said that they are still reeling from the shock of it all and that all they can do right now is hope and pray that Denise, Bill, Henry and Jane will find the strength to cope with this enormous tragedy.

Denise grew up in America, but her grandparents were from this area and she would have spent many summers in Labbamologga and would be related to the Walsh/Barry families. Over the years, she travelled here for weddings, funerals and family occasions and she would be remembered in Knockadea from her annual visits in the summers when she was growing up. 

Her second cousins told The Avondhu that most of the family had been to America to visit the Richards and that some of them hope to travel over for little Martin’s funeral, once arrangements are in place.

A cousin said that, contrary to reports, there is no family connection to Kerry as had been reported in some of the newspapers and that they have been told by family members in Dorchester, Boston that Denise had surgery on her eye and they are hopeful of a full recovery.

“There is a close connection between the families. We are saying a prayer that they will recover and get through all of this. That is all we can do for them from here,” one of the second cousins said.