Country a lesser place after death of a decent man
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Thursday November 26 2009
It is an institution that was practically wiped out in Celtic Tiger Ireland -- the local corner shop, where every customer is known by name and catching up on the local news is as essential as the produce on the shelves.
Deasy's store, known to all in the locality as Brauders, survived down through the years on just such friendly service.
Tesco and other supermarket chains may be just around the corner, but Brauders offered more to its loyal customers.
It was a tradition on my summer holidays as a boy to walk down to Brauders and pick up the daily loaf of brown bread and newspaper for my grandmother.
A simple 'Maise Magrath' was all that was needed for the bread to be handed over with a smile. You paid at the end of the week, or whenever you had it.
It was this pride in his family business which must have stirred John Deasy, who took the shop over 16 years ago.
It was probably also his frustration at being the victim of repeated crime which made the proud businessman intervene when a raider once more threatened his livelihood.
This country is a lesser place for the loss of a decent local shopkeeper like John, cut down by a violent thug. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
- ALAN STEENSON
