Mourners gather for funeral of Irish traveller shot dead in United States by Vietnam veteran after '$70,000 construction scam'

Published: 13:36, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 13:51, 10 August 2026 Mourners have gathered for the funeral of a British illegal immigrant who was shot dead in the US after allegedly trying to con a pensioner. A two-day service is underway in west London following the death of Salis Hanrahan – an Irish traveller who died last month aged 20. Hayes High Street was brought to a standstill by a fleet of silver Rolls Royces and Lamborghini super cars while family carried Mr Hanrahan's body down a residential road. Mr Hanrahan, an alleged member of the 'Travelling Conmen' crime gang, was killed in Philadelphia as construction workers attended a home on July 8. His remains were flown back to the UK accompanied by his mother, a brother and his sister Lisa Marie. Today's service began at 12pm with mass at St Mary's Hayes Town followed by a 2pm burial in West Drayton Cemetery. A large silver hearse was pictured making its way down a street while friends and family watched on.  Mr Hanrahan was fatally shot inside the home of ex-firefighter George Barr, 75.  Family carried Salis Hanrahan's body down a residential road after he was shot dead by a pensioner in the US A fleet of silver Rolls Royce's and Lamborghini super cars brought the high street to a standstill in Hayes Hanrahan appears to have wed his wife Roseann just months before his death, and the couple shared a one-year-old daughter together. They are pictured here together Mr Hanrahan was reportedly working on Mr Barr's house as part of a construction team in the days before his death. Local reports suggest he was shot after trying to charge the American £51,800 for repairs on the £190,000 property. The Briton had entered the US illegally after being denied a visa because government officials determined that he was affiliated with the 'The Travelling Conman Fraud Group'. Members of the organised crime gang, as it has been designated by the FBI, are known for overcharging victims for building work which they have failed to complete. Mr Hanrahan collapsed on a pavement outside Mr Barr's home in the Roxborough neighbourhood of Philadelphia – and later died in hospital from a gunshot wound to his chest. The traveller's body was later repatriated back to London. Footage last month showed plumes of red and white smoke billowing into the sky after flares were let off on a busy road as dozens gathered to celebrate what would have been his 21st birthday. Mourners parked their vehicles across the street causing grid-locked traffic, and cars could be heard tooting their horns as crowds set up pictures of Mr Hanrahan on the pavement. One showed a photo of the 20-year-old posing with his thumbs up, with golden messages surrounding his image reading: 'Happy 21st birthday Salis Hanrahan'. A large silver hearse was also pictured making its way down a street while friends and family watched on Today's service began at 12pm with miss at St Mary's Hayes Town followed by a 2pm burial in West Drayton Cemetery. A tribute is pictured A fleet of supercars lined the west London roads as onlookers watched on. Dozens of friends and family members have turned out for the occasion One man carries a floral tribute made up of red roses for Mr Hanrahan while another attendee carries a framed photo Funeralgoers gather outside the hearse as Mr Hanrahan's body is taken through the streets of west London A motorcylist drives past the hearse in Hayes. Traffic was brought to a standstill due to the procession Mr Barr, Mr Hanrahan's alleged killer, has been charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person. He has not yet entered a plea and is being held at a Pennsylvania prison after being remanded into custody. Mr Hanrahan appears to have wed his wife Roseann just months before his death, and the couple shared a one-year-old daughter together. Roseann posted on social media after his passing: 'My beautiful husband. I love you so much.' US police previously said contractors were fitting sliding doors on Mr Barr's home shortly after 2pm on July 8 when gunfire was heard. Philadelphia police Captain James Kimrey told reporters: 'They heard arguments or some kind of commotion inside and then they found the boss outside.' Local outlet KYW said that the victim had been 'asking for more money' every day prior to his death. Mr Hanrahan was 'an illegal alien from the United Kingdom', the US Department of Homeland Security said, and entered the country without a work permit. A spokesman said: 'He entered the country illegally on an unknown date and location and was denied Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) as he was determined to have affiliation with 'The Traveling Conman Fraud Group', a transnational criminal organization'. Salis Hanrahan who was shot dead by US Veteran firefighter after he charged him for thousands of pounds more work Mr Hanrahan is seen here on his wedding day The victim's family hit out at his alleged killer in the days after he was killed, describing Mr Barr as 'evil' and 'scum'. A relative called Paddy Hanrahan posted a news story about the incident on Facebook, writing: 'Please look at the evil in he's [sic] face. He couldn't even give a reason why he done it. He cold-bloodedly killed him for nothing.' Friend Martina McCarthy responded: 'I said the same u can see the evil behind his eyes rip salis [sic].' Another friend, Michelle Bas, wrote: 'He needs to rot in jail!!!' Mr Hanrahan's sister Lisa-Marie posted a picture of Mr Barr and wrote: 'The scum that took my baby brother lord pls why us.' Others, however, were quick to show their support for the 75-year-old. One local woman wrote: 'Free George Barr, NOW! He is a retired Philadelphia Firefighter and a hero from [the] Vietnam War.' Another woman posted: 'I have known George for a very long time. Frankly, I can't believe this. Always been so kind to me and my daughters.'