Fran Hodgetts, ‘enemy’ of missing man Paddy Moriarty, set to return to Larrimah next year

IN a twist for the small town of Larrimah, Fran Hodgetts – the ‘enemy’ of missing man Paddy Moriarty – is set to return in February after undergoing treatment for breast cancer in Melbourne.

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IN a twist for the small town of Larrimah, Fran Hodgetts – the “enemy” of missing man Paddy Moriarty – is set to return in February after undergoing treatment for breast cancer in Melbourne.

Her grandson, Brent Cilia, has been running Fran’s Devonshire Tea House since her departure, although it’s now closed for the season.

For the past year, Mr Cilia has been working casually at the Larrimah Wayside Inn Caravan Park.

Mr Cilia is all too aware he is now working at the pub where Mr Moriarty would spend his days downing a beer or helping out with odd jobs.

Fran Hodgetts leaves the Katherine Local Court after giving evidence at the inquest into the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty in 2018. Picture: Michael Franchi

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Mr Moriarty left the Pink Panther Hotel on December 16, 2017, with his puppy, Kellie, after an afternoon sipping beer and was never seen again.

His disappearance resulted in an inquest, during which Mr Moriarty’s best mate Barry Sharpe, who used to own the pub, and Ms Hodgetts, were among those called to give evidence.

The inquest heard Ms Hodgetts was “the enemy” of Mr Moriarty, but neither she nor Mr Sharpe were charged with having any involvement in his disappearance.

Mr Sharpe passed away last year after a battle with cancer.

Larrimah resident Paddy Moriarty disappeared on December 16, 2017 and has never been seen again since. Picture: Helen Orr

Mr Cilia said three years on, the community was moving forward, and he had made friends with the town’s residents.

He said it was great being able to work at the pub, although occasionally tourists, once learning who he was, would get angry.

“It’s really hard because you’re trying to forget about the past and move on, be there for the town and my grandma, and it’s hard to get knocked down all the time,” he said.

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He said his grandmother intended to return to her home in February once her chemotherapy treatment was completed.

He said she had responded well to the treatment.

“It’s her home and for her to be away is probably making her more sick,” Mr Cilia said.

He said he would continue to run the tea house if Ms Hodgetts did return in the new year.

He said the tea house would reopen at Easter.

Follow @JudithAisthorpe