Connaught Telegraph - County Mayo

Some articles from the Connaught Telegraph from 1996 to 1999

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Retired Garda killed, daughter and grandchildren injured in horror smash

 

Former Garda Sean Reilly, who was based in Charlestown, was killed instantly when his car struck an articulated lorry at Kilbride, Swinford, County Mayo.16 December 1998

 

 

"DANGEROUS" SWINFORD JUNCTION CLAIMS A FURTHER VICTIM

The tragic death on Friday of a man still in the prime of life who was a pillar of his local community has led to renewed concern over the rising accident toll at the main junction on the Swinford bypass.

Sixty two year old former Garda Sean Reilly, who was based in Charlestown, was killed instantly around 2.30 p.m. on Friday when his car struck an articulated lorry at Kilbride, Swinford.

One of Mr. Reilly's grandchildren, five year old Kyle Duffy of Castlehill Park, Castlebar was seriously injured and is recovering at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.

Kyle's sister, Leah (9) was also injured in the impact as was his first cousin, one year old Kian McCudden from Charlestown and one of his aunts Sadie Reilly, a front seat passenger.

TRANSFERRED

Ironically, Kyle Duffy was transferred to Beaumont where his mother, Marian, had been admitted as a patient for an operation some days previously.

The driver of the lorry was uninjured. Driving conditions were poor at the time of the impact due to heavy rain. Gardai in Swinford have issued an appeal to anybody who may have witnessed the accident to come forward.

Mr. Reilly, a native of Belmullet who had a distinguished inter-county football career, retired from the Garda Siochana in 1994 after 43 years service.

He died and one of his grandchildren sustained very serious injuries on a piece of road which is regarded as one of the best in the county but which has a very high accident rate.

At recent inquests in Swinford, Mr. Pat O'Connor, Coroner for East Mayo, expressed particular anxiety about the junction- which links the Dublin/Westport road with the Dublin/Ballina road.

INORDINATE

After dealing with an inquest into the death of 84 year old Castlerea woman, Bríd Bean deBrún Mr. O'Connor said there had been "an inordinate number of accidents" at the junction in recent times.

Garda Supt Oliver Hanley agreed with the Coroner and said the local authority was looking into the situation to see whether any measures could be taken to reduce the accident toll at the junction.

Upon hearing of the latest fatality at the weekend, the Coroner, Mr. O'Connor commented: "This latest fatality is very sad in the extreme. Clearly something is wrong. It is too much of a coincidence that there have been so many accidents."

Sean Reilly will be laid to rest today (Wednesday) in Charlestown Cemetery following Requiem Mass at midday in the adjoining St. James' Church.

He is survived by his wife, Sadie; daughters, Marian. Sadie (Jnr) and Sandra; sons, Kenneth, Clement and Alan as well as grandchildren, daughters in law, sons in law, brothers, sisters, relatives and a wide circle of friends.

Grief over Mr. Reilly's death is being felt this week not alone in Charlestown and his hometown, Belmullet, but right across the west and north west.

FOOTBALLER

The deceased was a prominent footballer in his day having represented both Mayo and Donegal at senior level and Connacht and Ulster in the Railway Cup.

At Club level, Mr. Reilly was a stalwart with Charlestown Sarsfields with whom he won a County Junior medal in 1963.

His sons, Kenneth, Clement and Alan inherited their father's love of football and all represented Mayo at some level or other with Kenneth also representing New York at senior level as well.

Hard working and conscientious both as a Garda and in the community life of Charlestown, Mr. Reilly will be greatly missed and the huge turnout at the removal of his remains from Donoghue's Funeral Home to the St. James' Church last night was a measure of the great esteem in which he was held.

News of Mr. Reilly's sudden death has caused a palpable feeling of gloom in Belmullet where he was born at Church Road in the mid 1930's.

The deceased is brother of businessman A.J. Reilly, Belmullet; Noel (bakery), Paddy (Carne) and his sister, Mrs. Maura Barrett, Doolough.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - December 1998