Mass To Remember Ryan Weir Gibbons Taking Place In Kildare Town This Weekend

He died following an assault in Kildare Town last year

A gathering is taking place this Saturday (24 October) to remember Ryan Weir Gibbons, who died following an assault in Kildare town last year.

He was just 29-years-old when he died.

In July, 19-year-old Ryan Murphy, of Curragh Plains, Kildare was sentenced to five years in prison for his manslaughter.

Murphy was 18-years-old at the time of the incident.

The incident occurred on October 26, 2025, when Weir Gibbons was involved in an altercation in the Magee Terrace area, close to Kildare Garda Station.

Ryan had been travelling home from a night out. He was on a bus from Naas when an argument developed with another passenger over noise on the bus. That confrontation continued after the bus arrived in Kildare Town.

Ryan was struck with a punch, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the ground.

He suffered a traumatic head injury and was taken to Naas General Hospital, where he remained in intensive care.

Four days later, on Thursday October 30 Ryan passed away as a result of his injuries.

In the days following his passing, flowers and tributes were left near the scene of the assault.

A vigil was also organised in the Market Square in Kildare Town on November 5, giving people an opportunity to come together.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Elva Duffy outlined the sequence of events that led to Ryan's death.

The court heard that Ryan Weir Gibbons had been travelling alone on a bus from Naas, while Murphy and a group of others boarded the bus in Newbridge.

There was noise on the bus, and Ryan turned around to complain and as an argument followed, during which Murphy threatened Ryan, a scuffle developed.

Other passengers, including some of Murphy's friends, and the bus driver intervened to try to calm the situation.

After the bus stopped in Kildare Town, the two men encountered each other again.

The court heard that Murphy was highly agitated and that a friend had been trying to calm him down.

Judge Duffy noted that Ryan Weir Gibbons had initially raised his hands in an attempt to calm the situation.

Murphy then struck Ryan, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground, that head injury ultimately proved fatal.

Judge Elva Duffy described Murphy's actions as "devastating".

She said he had made it clear on the night that he was prepared for a fight.

However, the court also heard that Murphy had no previous convictions and had not previously come to the attention of Gardaí.

He had been a student in Carlow and was a talented rugby player who had represented Leinster at youth level.

The judge accepted that Murphy was remorseful and would have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.

The Mass will take place at 6.30pm in St Brigid's Church in Kildare Town.

His family have extended an invitation to Ryan's friends, neighbours, the wider Kildare Town community and anyone who knew him to attend.

Ryan's father, Edward Gibbons, has spoken about wanting people to come together to celebrate and commemorate his son's life through prayer and reflection.

The Mass will also be available to watch online through the St Brigid's Parish Church webcam for anyone who cannot attend in person.