His name is Jack

July 13, 2013

I was shocked and upset when I was told that two brothers had been brutally killed in Castlebar.  

I realised one of them was the man I often saw walking around Castlebar, seemingly in his own world. I later learned his name was Jack Blaine and his brother was Tom Blaine.

The Winter of 2010 was really freezing with temperatures of -17° C. Just before that Christmas, I was walking up Main St. in Castlebar when I noticed Jack looking in a shop window, as around him people rushed about getting ready for Christmas. Jack was shuffling along, no hurry on him as usual and the contrast between the two caught my eye.

It appeared at the time that Jack went around mainly unnoticed, on the periphery of Castlebar life but the brothers' tragic deaths have shown how well known Jack was and how well liked and respected both brothers were. 

Jack will be missed around the town and these photographs are in his honour.

Jack Blaine wandering around Castlebar just before Christmas 2010. Passersby passing by.Photo Alison Laredo
Jack Blaine wandering around Castlebar just before Christmas 2010. Passersby passing by.Photo Alison Laredo
Jack Blaine wandering around Castlebar just before Christmas 2010. Photo Alison Laredo
Jack Blaine wandering around Castlebar just before Christmas 2010. Photo Alison Laredo
Outside the home of Jack and Tom Blaine, New Antrim Street, Castlebar.
Outside the home of Jack and Tom Blaine, New Antrim Street, Castlebar.
Book of Condolence for Jack and Tom Blaine outside their home in New Antrim Street, Castlebar.
Book of Condolence for Jack and Tom Blaine outside their home in New Antrim Street, Castlebar.
Lovely pic's but for a very sad reason R.I.P Jack and Tom
they never bothered any one and every one in castlebar respected them ,they were noticed in town in a very good way, they b very much missed, they were part of castlebar
Such a lovely picture of Jack and it's the way he will always be remembered. Shuffling along at his own pace and bothering nobody. RIP Jack and Tom
rip jack and tommie you will always be remembered
RIP Brothers, just to sad, u will be sadly missed walking the streets of castlebar, xxx
R.I.P. Jack & Tom, now I'm gonna cry....... will be sadly missed around the town but sadly he's heaven's pleasure now!
Two angels have left us xxxx
R.I.P Jack & Tom , Y are with the Angels now !!
R.I.P jack and tom
r.ip jack and tom
R.I.P Jack & Tom , Ye will be sadly missed around Castlebar .
The Lord have mercy on two gentle souls, Jack & Tom. May they rest in the peace and love of Heaven.
sleep in peace with the angles no more hurt or pain RIP
RIP Jack and Tom.
Two nice gentlemen killed for no reason.R.I.P.
RIP You are both in heaven a place ye were always going to get to unlike a lot of us who have to work hard at getting there sometime
R.I.P Jack & Tom was'nt fair yr lives ended so tragic! But yr 2 big angels in heaven...
class,pic
may god rest both of you. crimbin in the od days, xxx
Lovely photo but such a sad story RIP
"What is this life
if full of care
we have no time
to stand and stare.........

Henry Davies.

Jack, maybe we should take example from you and slow down a little in this life.

What a treasure of a photograph!! It's beautiful!! So touching and moving!! I think that the picture sums up Jack's gentle, inoffensive personality and life. . This is the image that I have of Jack and will always have.

Jack and Tom,
may your gentle souls, rest in peace.
The Lord have Mercy on Jack and Tom! I did'nt know them but they were loved by all that knew them. So so sad. God Help both families..
R.I.P. Jack and Tom, May u be reunited with all your loved ones, U will be missed
Arrived here via Ken Armstrong. Such a sad situation - harmless people are so often victims of others' prejudices. How wrong the world is.
Rest in Peace Jack and Tom, gone but not forgotten.
Rest in Peace Jack and Tom, gone but not forgotten.
Rest in peace, Gentle souls. Ye will always be remembered.
This picture made me smile and is exactly how I remember Jack. Rest in peace boys, you are flying with the angles now.
Jack was a lovely man. Him and his Brother didn't bother anyone. The picture shows just how jack was, kept to himself and never did a bad thing in his life. They will be missed dearly by everyone in castlebar. R.I.P
Rest in peace Jack and Tom. Ya will always be remembered.
Jack - i had the pleasure of knowing you and Tommy for many years - two gentle souls. From all in Castlebar - when we think of you and Tommy are 'hearts will smile' xx
Justice was served today for Jack & Tom, gentle souls RIP xx
TWO LOVELY GENTLEMEN SO SO SAD THAT THEY MET SUCH TRAGIC END.I AM IN TEARS READING ALL THESE COMMENTS,AS I KNEW THE TWO OF THEM WELL,RIP YOU BE SADLY MISSED IN CASTLEBAR JACK AND TOM FOR EVER
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