THE family of a man who was found dead in the garden of a Vale hotel earlier this month have struggled to come to terms with their loss so close to Christmas.

Family friend Des O’Neill said Paul Walsh’s wife and four teenage children had been “all over the place” following his funeral in Ireland last week, and were taking time out to “regroup”.

Mr Walsh, who lived in Northway, Tewkesbury, and was known as Corky to his friends, was discovered dead in the garden of the Beckford Inn, near Evesham, on Saturday, December 3.

It is believed he got locked out after going for a cigarette, and fell and banged his head while trying to get back in. The results of a post mortem have revealed he died of a subdural haematoma and intracerebellar haemorrhage, the result of a skull fracture.

Friend and fellow Pholk Law band member Mr O’Neill played at his funeral at Togher, in Cork, where Mr Walsh grew up and where his parents still live.

He said: “We buried him in Ireland last Tuesday with his family.

“It was a well attended event with a few hundred people. It was a very traditional funeral, and the band played at the church and after at the wake.

“His family have been all over the place. They have spent the week in Ireland following the funeral and are re-grouping now.

“This loss has left a huge hole in their lives, especially being so close to Christmas.

“It’s not something his kids quite know how to take.

“We are family friends and they will be coming to mine for Christmas.”