The bereavement of 43-year-old Martin Salinger, who faced a horrific demise in his cell at Cloverhill Prison on October 5th, has inflicted considerable anguish upon his family. Salinger was a resident of Ballyfermot, Dublin, engaged in horse carriage transportation business being a proprietor himself; his establishment, Dublin Horse Drawn Carriages, being a representation of four generations of family endeavour.
Traditionally hailing from Liberties, in Dublin, Salinger was presently on remand at the detention facility on account of allegations linking him to drugs and firearm misconduct, registered against him two months earlier. At his memorial on Saturday, Father Joe Kennedy expressed the collective sorrow over the dreadful conditions under which Martin met his early demise. He reinforced the trauma and tragedy of losing a loved one in such manner.
Father Kennedy emphasized that Salinger prioritised his family above all else; his second passion being horses since childhood. The attendants at his funeral included a large gathering of his colleagues from the horse and carriage community, a tribute to Martin’s life he frankly deserved. Commemorating Salinger’s life, Father Kennedy read out excerpts from the book of remembrance, where he was admired as an exemplary gentleman, a pleasant individual and an obliging man willing to assist anyone.
Martin Salinger leaves behind his mother Debbie, life partner Griff, four offspring, siblings and an extended family and group of friends. His memorial service was held at Dublin’s St Catherine’s Church, Meath Street, succeeded by cremation at Mount Jerome. A man in his 30s was detained on the suspicion of Salinger’s murder and was subsequently acquitted the charges, however, a dossier is being assembled for the Director of Public Prosecutions. To that end, a Garda senior inquiry officer and a family liaison officer have been commissioned.
The Irish Prison Service has expressed its condolences to the family of the late man.
In a 2015 conversation hosted by Project Bowes website, Mr Salinger detailed how his great-grandfather, Michael Salinger, established the horse-drawn carriage operation. He recollected that he entered the family enterprise during his teenage years and took pleasure in guiding tourists around the city.