BLACK WEEKEND IN MAYO
1 May1996
Two people were killed in separate tragedies during the weekend. On Friday Liam Gibbons (39) from Cloonsuana, Castlebar died when the articulated cab he was driving was in collision with another truck on the Swinford bypass. Two other people were injured in the collision.
And a teenager died in a blaze at her Claremorris home early on Monday morning. Mr. Gibbons, who was travelling in the Castlebar direction was a married man and a native of Kilmeena, Westport .
A former Kilmeena footballer he won West Mayo and County under-age titles with the parish. He was also a member of the 1974 Mayo Minor team.
The driver of the other lorry, John Gibbons from Garryduff, Castlebar is recovering in a Galway hospital.
A twenty-year old student, Eric Heneghan from Tallabawn, Louisburgh who had been hitch-hiking was also injured in the smash. He is still being detained at the Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar
The late Mr. Gibbons is survived by his wife Joan and son Nathan. Burial took place in Myna cemetery after requiem mass on Monday.
Meanwhile, Garda technical experts were still trying to establish the cause of a blaze in which Bernadette Joyce (19) from Bothardubh, Claremorris died.
Her mother Bernadette is recovering at Mayo General Hospital from injuries she received when she jumped to safety from an upstairs window. Her husband Thomas, who was also in the house, escaped uninjured.
The blaze occurred at 4 am and according to Gardai quickly spread through the dwelling. Firefighters from Claremorris and Ballyhaunis tackled the outbreak and recovered the body from the smouldering ruins.
Supt. Brendan Ferry, Claremorris said: "It would appear the fire started very quickly and the house was engulfed in a very short period of time, in a matter of minutes."
Connaught Telegraph - News - May 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sports - May 1996
