Obituaries 26th july 2014

Robert Matthews, Crossakiel

The county of Meath and surrounding counties were saddened and shocked to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of Robert (Robbie) Matthews, Hibernian House, Crossakiel, at Our Lady of Lourdes on 30th June last, aged 35.
Robert will be remembered as a very popular and kind gentlemen, highly respected in his work place of Wellman International and in the world of sport as a champion athlete representing Dunslaughlin AC, winning races at many levels and bringing great honour to his county. He will be deeply missed by his heartbroken family and many friends.
Robert reposed at his family home where family and friends from home and abroad travelled to offer their sympathy and support to the Matthews family on their very great loss.
Mass was celebrated in the family home by Fr John Brogan, PP, Kilskyre, who offered his heartfelt sympathy to the family on their loss. Many people from all walks of life came to recall their association with Robert before his remains were taken to the local parish church of Kilskyre for his funeral Mass. 
Guards of honour were carried out by members of Dunshaughlin AC, St Brigid’s, Ballinacree, St Ultan’s, Bohermeen and Kells Boys and Kells Blackwater soccer clubs, while also in very large numbers were the workers, management and staff of Wellman International. The various guard of honours gave a glimpse of the very high regard that Robert was held by many. His short journey in this life that made a huge difference to the lives of others.
His funeral mass was celebrated by Fr Liam Malone, CC, Kells, who said there were no words to explain the suddenness of Robert’s untimely death and asked those present to continue to pray for the Matthews family. Burial followed in Kilskyre Cemetery.
Robert is survived by his wife, Lorraine; son, Niall, parents, Pa and Elizabeth; brothers, Patrick and Graham; sister, Ann Marie, sister-in-law Catriona; nieces, Megan and Faye; a large circle of aunts, uncles and cousins in the Kells area and a vast number of friends in his work place and in many sporting clubs across Ireland.

Robbie Matthews - A tribute from Dunshaughlin AC

The very sad and untimely death has occurred of the quiet and popular Dunshaughlin athlete Robbie Matthews at just 35 years of age.
Robbie began his running career in his early teenage years in Kells and joined the local club where his highlight was in finishing third in the Leinster Intermediate Cross Country championships in Wexford in 1998.
He drifted out of the sport for a period of time, but never lost his love of running and returned to athletics in his mid-20s where he rapidly started making up for the lost years.
Under the guidance of his coach Domo Moran, Robbie started to show the form that his early teenage years indicated and the titles soon started to mount up.
He won his first Meath Senior Cross Country title in Dunboyne in 2008 and followed that with silver medals in the Leinster Novice Cross Country in Rathdrum in 2009 and the Leinster Intermediate in Tullamore in 2011 leading the Meath teams to victory on both occasions.
 A cruciate ligament injury threatened to end his career, but after almost two years off training, two major operations and being told by the medical experts that his running career was finished, Robbie summoned the will and courage to get running again and in 2013 he won over 30 races on the track, road and cross-country.
He won two out of the four Dublin Marathon race series (Irish Runner five-mile and Dublin half marathon) and set personal bests in almost every race he ran which ranged from 5k – 14.57, four miles – 19.36, five miles 24.46, 10k 30.57, 10 miles 50.57 and a half marathon best of 68.08.
He was also fifth in the National 10k road and track championships as well as the National half marathon championships.
He was also crowned Meath 3,000m track champion, five-mile road champion and led the club senior men’s team to their first Meath Cross-Country title in 10 years which meant a lot to him.
 Beneath that quiet, professional and totally organised person was a warm and kind individual who was very supportive of the young members in the club and was always on hand to offer advice and encouragement to all he knew.
Robbie was a true and loyal clubman and county man and he wore both singlets with pride and honour right up to the very end.
He finished fifth in the Dunshaughlin 10k road race on the 21st June and then going on to take victory in his final race, the Fore 5k on Wednesday 25th June.
Robbie’s legacy will live on as his organs were donated. He was laid to rest at Kilskyre cemetry last Thursday 3rd July, surrounded by his family, friends and running mates. Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends at this sad time.
 Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Paddy Mangan,
Dunshaughlin AC.

Bridget Byrne, Slane

There was widespread sadness following the death on 11th June last of Bridget Byrne, Ardcalf, Slane, at the age of 90. A native of Kinaffe, Swinford, Co Mayo, she was formerly Kelly, and died at Woodlands Nursing Home, Navan.
She was predeceased by her husband Martin in 1996, infant daughter, Mary, and son, Martin James. She is survived by daughters, Eileen O’Rourke, Maureen Moore, and Angela O’Leary; sons, John, Frank, Tom, and Pat; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law, 21 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Mary O’Halloran, nieces, nephews, relatives and many dear friends.
The funeral took place on Saturday 14th June from St Patrick’s Church, Slane to St Erc’s Cemetery, Slane.

 

Michael Buckley, Trim

The death occurred peacefully on Thursday 26th June of Michael Buckley, Peterstown, Navan Road, Trim.  Born in Abbeydorney, Co Kerry on 15th December 1921, he was the eleventh of 12 siblings, all of whom predeceased him.  He grew up to take over the family farm, mainly because, as he used to say himself, all the others left and he stayed.  He married Breda McElligott on 22nd November 1956 and together they went on to have four children, the eldest three being born in Kerry.  In March 1965, the family moved to Trim under the Land Commission scheme and took up farming in Peterstown, and after a number of years, their fourth child was born.
Michael soon became involved with the National Farmers Association (NFA), taking part in the farmers protest in 1967, and was very proud of the fact that he ‘served time’ in both Mountjoy and Portlaoise, along with many other local farmers, for blocking the bridges in the county and refusing to pay the miniscule fine that would have kept him and them out of prison.  He kept up his involvement in the NFA, subsequently known as the IFA, all his life.
In his younger days, Michael was very involved in hurling, and won a number of North Kerry Championship medals with Kilflynn in Kerry.  When his playing days ended, he took up the whistle, and refereed many matches in his locality.  A number of years later, he took up the game of golf, and many hours were spent in Co Meath Golf Club, and a lot of other golf courses all over the country.  He played golf up to the age of 87. He was an avid supporter of the Kerry football team, and had a very keen interest in soccer and rugby also, going to many of the international matches in both codes.
In his latter years, Michael became increasingly immobile, and was looked after at home by his wife Breda, with assistance from carers.  This wonderful team of carers, who went above and beyond the call of duty, enabled Michael to die peacefully in his own home, after a very brief and sudden illness.
He is survived by his Breda; family, Marian, Elaine, Diarmuid (all Trim) and Bryan (Ardfert, Co Kerry); nine grandchildren, Alannah, Aoibheann and Dearbhla McNally, Ian and Clodagh McLoughlin, Katie, David, Evan and Calum Buckley, his children’s spouses and partners, relatives and many friends.  His funeral took place on Saturday 28th June in St Patrick’s Church, Trim, with burial in St Loman’s Cemetery, Trim.

 

Gabrielle Brennan, Crossakiel

There was great sadness following the passing on 8th July last of Gabrielle Brennan, Crossakiel village, Kells, at Our Lady’s of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda Co Louth. A native of Terenure, Gabrielle (nee Mahon) resided in Kells for past 33 years.
Deceased will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, nanna and friend, who touched so many people with kindness, love and courage.  Gabrielle focused on the simple things that made the difference with everyone she came in contact with and was ‘the rock’ of her family. 
She is survived by her husband, Kevin Brennan, Crossakiel, Kell; family, Mark Brennan, Navan, Tracy Kellett, Carnaross, Kells, Barry Brennan, Roundwood, Co Wicklow; grandchildren, David, Emma Jane, Oisin and Sophie; sisters, Irene and Antoinette; brothers, Brian and Dermot, in-laws, relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from the Church of St Alphonsus Liguori, Kilskyre, to Glasnevin Crematorium.

Tom Tuite, Oldcastle

The passing of Tom Tuite, Fennor, Oldcastle, at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, on 5th July last, was the source of widespread sadness.
Aged 77, he was a native of Oldcastle and was a farmer. He and his wife, Ann, celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2013. Deceased had a lifelong interest in farming, horses and hunting, and was a man of quiet disposition. His life centred around his family and home.
Tom is survived by his wife, Ann; daughters, Yvonne, Helen, Philomena, Lizzy, Edel, and Nicola; sons, Michael, Thomas, and James; sister, Betty; brother-in-law, Brendan; daughter-in-law, Casey; sons-in-law, Paddy, Patsy, Paul and Jim; and grandchildren.
The funeral took place from St Brigid’s Church, Oldcastle, to the local cemetery.

Sean Cogan,  Slane

There was widespread sadness at the sudden death of Sean Cogan, Rochestown House, Slane which occurred on 29th June last.
Sean was the eldest member of the Cogan family, a well know farming family from Rochestown. He was predeceased by his wife, Breda, and parents, Roseanne and Timmy Cogan.
He is survived by his sons Shane and James; daughter, Paula;  daughter-in-law and son-in-law, Deirdre and Andrew; grandchildren, Charlie, Jack, Zara and Méabh; brothers, Thomas and Eddie; sister, Doreen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and a large circle of relatives and friends.
The funeral took place in the church of St Louis and St Mary, Rathkenny on 3rd July with burial in the adjoining cemetery.