Obituaries 20-11-2010

The regretted death has occurred of Ms Una Carty, Balbradagh, Robinstown. Aged 85, she passed away on 19th October at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. Ms Carty, a confectioner by profession, trained in Edenderry, County Offaly. She cycled from her home in Robinstown every Sunday evening to Edenderry and returned to Robinstown on Saturday evening during her training. On completion of her training, deceased worked in Dublin and then with her sister, Maeve, opened a bakery in Cabra where they ran a very successful business for many years. They then sold the bakery in Cabra and ran another successful Annaville Bakery in Brews Hill in Navan, until they retired to Robinstown. A number of years after the death of Maeve from Motor Neurone disease, Ms Carty and her other sister Olive, with the support of their family and friends, ran a very successful fundraising coffee morning for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. It was very generously supported by local businesses, neighbours and friends. Ms Carty was a keen bridge player and long time member of Slane Bridge Club, and she had a keen interest in all sports. She was predeceased by her five brothers and three sisters, the family of the late Rose and John Carty. Ms Carty is survived by her nephew, Oliver Carty, and his wife Eileen, with whom she lived, and their family, Ollie, Gerard, and Kathryn; nieces and nephews; grandnieces; grandnephews; great grandniceses; great grand nephews; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from Robinstown Church to Dunderry Cemetery. Fr Noel Horneck, PP, Dunderry, officiated. _____________________________________________________________ Paschal Corrigan, Kildalkey and Kildare Mr Paschal Corrigan, the travelling head lad at John Oxx's stable for almost 50 years, was a native of Kildalkey. He passed away on 2nd November, aged 78, following a long illness, at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. From Clonbarron, Kildalkey, he was son of the late John and Kathleen Corrigan. He served as an apprentice jockey with Kildalkey trainer RJ McCormack, alongside PF Conlon, a young jockey from Tribley, Kilmessan, who lost his life in a fall at Kilbeggan in 1952. One of McCormack's best known racehorses was Our Anna. Deceased went to Northumberland in England to work with a trainer called Bewick, before returning to Charlie Tuite at the Curragh, and also working with Fred Rimmell. In the late 1960s, he joined the stable of John Oxx senior as travelling head lad, and was still there when John Oxx junior took over, before retiring about five years ago. John Oxx paid tribute to Mr Corrigan, describing him as loyal and hardworking, and an energetic, fit and obliging man. “He had great experience and was multi-talented,†Mr Oxx said. “He didn't just travel horses, he was also a very good rider and could do any job, including breaking horses.†Deceased regarded the dual Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Sinndar, associated with Johnny Murtagh, as the best horse he was involved with. When he retired, Mr Corrigan was the first Irish stable staff member to be honoured at the Curragh with the Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2006. He had the first race on the Moyglare Stud Stakes card, a two year-old EBF maiden, named after him that year. He presented the winning trophy to the owner, and his family was treated to a VIP day out. Deceased is survived by his wife, Kathleen, Fair Green, Kildare; sons, Paschal and Mario; brothers, Mattie, Kildalkey; Richard and Tom, England; sister, Patricia Corcoran, Portlaoise; daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; grandchildren; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends. His brother, John 'Crash' Corrigan, father of prominent London-based chef Richard, predeceased him. The funeral took place from the Carmelite Church, Kildare, to St Conleth's Cemetery. Donations in his memory can be made to the Irish Motor Neuron Association, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7. _____________________________________________________________ Andrew de Courcey, Slane There was widespread regret following the passing of Mr Andrew de Courcey, Creewood, Slane, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Aged 83, he was a native of Hoardstown, Lobinstown, and farmed throughout his life. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose family was always at the centre of his life. Deceased is survived by his wife, Nellie; sons, Andrew and Patrick, Creewood; Richard, Dromin, Dunleer; daughter, Anne Smyth, Tankardstown, Rathkenny; son-in-law, Tom; daughter-in-law, Mary; grandchildren, Aidan, Aoife and Emily; sister, Annie, Dromin, Dunleer; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Matt Carpenter, brother-in-law of the deceased, in Grangegeeth Church on 29th October, with burial afterwards in Killary Cemetery. A months memory Mass will take place in Rathkenny Church at 9am on Friday 26th November. _____________________________________________________________ Mary Duffy, Dunshaughlin and Freffans Widespread regret was caused in counties Meath, Galway and further afield following the recent passing of Mrs Mary Duffy (nee O'Loughlin), of Freffans Great, Trim and formerly of Rath Hill, Dunshaughlin. Mrs Duffy passed away peacefully on 14th October last at her daughter Kathleen's residence, aged 93 years. Deceased was the first born child of Michael and Mary O'Loughlin, of Ballinakill, on the small island of Lettermullen, Co Galway, on 24th March 1917. She grew up and went to school there along with her brothers, Martin, Stephen, Paddy and Michael. In 1935, she moved to Rath Chairn with her family. Like many of her fellow young countrywomen at that time, she made her way to England seeking employment. There she met her husband Martin who was also from Co Galway. They married and then moved home to Cornamona. In 1952, the family moved to Rath Hill, Dunshaughlin, and lived a happy life there, but in 1962 tragedy struck when her youngest daughter Carmel was killed in an accident just outside the village. Mrs Duffy was heartbroken but showed great strength and continued to work her farm right up to her early seventies. She had many passions, in particular a love for traditional Irish music and her native Irish language, an unquenchable support for the Galway football team, and up until the end, her faith in the Catholic church. Deceased was also a well-travelled woman, visiting her daughter Margaret in Melbourne, Australia on four occasions. Another activity close to her heart was her weekly visit and annual trips away with Dunshaughlin Senior Citizens Club and she always spoke fondly of her many friends there. Mrs Duffy was predeceased by her husband Martin; daughter, Carmel; grandson, Simon; brothers, Martin, Stephen and Paddy; sons-in-law, Bobby Whyte, Christopher Smith and Peter Finnerty; and is survived by her son, Michael; daughters, Maureen, Margaret and Kathleen; brother, Michael; sister-in-law Bridie; daughter-in-law Maureen; son-in-law Sean; 18 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, niece and nephews, relatives and many friends. Her funeral mass took place on Monday 18th October from the Church of Ss Patrick and Seachnaill, Dunshaughlin to the adjoining cemetery. A month's memory Mass takes place there on Friday 3rd December at 8pm. - “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.†_____________________________________________________________ Billy Flynn, Enfield The death occurred suddenly on 31st October last of Mr Billy Flynn, Thistlewaite House, Rathcore, Enfield, a private investigator who came to national prominence during the Morris Tribunal inquiring into corruption in the Garda force in Donegal. Mr Flynn took up the case in 1997, when Frank McBrearty from Raphoe claimed that he was being set up as a murder suspect and subjected to garda harassment. He bombarded the then Minister for Justice, Nora Owen, with over 100 files of documents outlining the McBreartys' case. When critics dismissed him and gardai privately said he was out to destabilise the force, Mr Flynn proved them all wrong. He produced evidence that threatening phone calls to members of the McBrearty family were made from the home of a garda. He was later praised for his work by the Morris Tribunal, the inquiry set up five years after Billy Flynn had started his investigations. One unexpected visitor to his Enfield home was Michael McDowell, driving by on a Saturday morning in 2005 on his way to his holiday home. Mr McDowell perused the letters that Mr Flynn had sent to Ms Owen. A few days later, Mr McDowell produced one of the letters on RTE's 'Questions And Answers' to suggest that she had prior knowledge of garda corruption in Donegal. Mr Flynn, who up until 1984 had been solely involved in professional negligence work, took on the case of a Frank Kelly from Birmingham, who had invested life savings of £7,000 in a Dublin-based, Gibraltar registered company called international Investments. The money disappeared, and the investigation into the financier Finbarr Ross which followed led to Mr Flynn publishing 'Gibgate - The Untold Story' in 1992. There wasn't one newsroom or politician in Ireland who didn't receive a copy of the book on the investigation. In the foreword, Mr Flynn writes: “If I had known what I was taking on, I would have stuck to negligence cases. In the eight years since that phone call, my fight for justice for the victim .... has taken me all over the world. It has driven me to drink and a heart attack, caused me to neglect my family and bankrupted me twice.†He estimated it cost him £500,000. Married with five daughters and three sons, he wrote that he was in the motor trade before starting in his private investigator business. He described himself as a lifelong supporter of Fianna Fail at the time of writing, and stubborn by nature with a natural distrust of the establishment. Mr Flynn ran several missing-person investigations and probed a number of unsolved murders. In recent years, he worked as an insolvency practitioner. Demand for his services soared in the worsening economic climate. He hoped for a final 'big one' to go out on and thought he had found it in sub-prime lenders. He knew many people who had borrowed excessively during the boom and were now left with mortgages they couldn't repay for properties worth half the price. Prior to his sudden passing, he was excited about reports of a new campaign to legally challenge the lenders trying to repossess homes. He believed that the information he had gathered in his investigations could be of help in future test cases against lenders. Predeceased by his parents Patrick and Elizabeth, he is survived by his wife, Eileen; family, Patrick, Sharon, Eileen, Jackie, Peter, Elizabeth, Claire and Andrew; brother Patrick; grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Jordanstown, to St Coco's Cemetery, Kilcock. _____________________________________________________________ Mona Foster, Enfield The regretted death occurred on 8th November last of Mrs Mona Eleanor Foster (nee Weld) Posseckstown, Enfield, at her home. Mrs Foster (79) was predeceased by her husband, Barney, in 2001, and her son, David, the former Army rider, who died in 1998. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Helen and Timothy Moorhead, Bunbrosna, Mullingar, Co Westmeath; daughter and son-in-law Linda and John Young, Laragh, Kilcock, Co Kildare; son and daughter-in-law Gordon Foster and Muriel Douglas, Possexstown, Enfield; and daughter-in-law Denise Foster, Possextown, Enfield. The funeral took place from St Ultan's Church of Ireland, Rathcore, Enfield, to the adjoining cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Louise Gibney, Trim There was widespread sadness following the recent passing of Mrs Louise (Louie) Gibney, of St Patrick's Park, Trim, at Knightsbridge Nursing Home. Aged 92, deceased was a daughter of tghe late JT and Kathleen (Brid) Magee of Trim, and was predeceased in 2000 by her husband, Peter Gibney. She is survived by her family, Ferdie, Pat, Noel, Peter, Gerry, Imelda, Ree and Louise; daughters-in-law; sons-in-law, 28 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren The removal took place from Knightsbridge Nursing Home on to St Patrick's Church, Trim, with funeral to St Loman's Cemetery, on Sunday 5th September. _____________________________________________________________ Paddy Lally, Athboy The death occurred suddenly on 23rd October last at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, of Mr Paddy (PJ) Lally, Athboy, and late of Belmullet, Co Mayo. Mr Lally (73) left Mayo at 21 years of age to work as a carpenter in England. He met and married Rose in 1960 and they returned to Enfield, with their family where Mr Lally enjoyed great success as a greyhound trainer, auctioneer and latterly training racehorses. He was best known for his success with Miss Therese in 1973. Mr Lally loved céilí music and was a keen accordian player. Mr Lally will be remembered by Rose, John and Nora, Catherine and Jim, Therese and John and his grandchildren Aoife, Laura, Orlagh, Tara, Ben and Jamie; his brother, James and family; his sisters, Bridget, Mary and Teresa and their families. The funeral took place from St James' Church, Athboy, to the adjoining cemetery. The months memory Mass will take place in St James' Church, on Saturday 27th November at 6.15pm. _____________________________________________________________ Patricia McCarthy, Dunshaughlin There was widespread sadness following the death of Mrs Patricia McCarthy, Grangend, Dunshaughlin, at the Mater Hospital on 16th September, aged 63. A member of the Farrell family of Navan, she had worked in Tierney's newsagents prior to her marriage to Dinny McCarthy. Mrs McCarthy was not slow to get involved in any local effort or community event in Dunshaughlin, particularly through her involvement in the local guild of the Irish Countrywomen's Association. In her earlier days in Navan, she was very involved in amateur dramatics, and later in Dunshaughlin, turned her hand to painting as a member of the local art group, turning out many fine pieces. She is survived by her husband, Dinny; son, Hughie; daughter-in-law, Trudi; grandchildren, Luke, Megan, Ellie and Alex; brothers, Paddy, Mickey, and James, all Navan; and sister, Betty, Blackpool; in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of Ss Seachnall and Patrick, Dunshaughlin, to the local cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Mary O'Mahony, Navan The regretted death occurred on 4th October last of Mrs Mary (Mamie) O'Mahony (nee Husband), Kilcarn, Navan, at Heatherfield Nursing Home, Dunshaughlin, aged 86. A native of Kilcarn, she was predeceased in 2000 by her husband, Robert, and is survived by her daughters, Laura Bannon, Derrypatrick, Drumree; Noeleen Lynch, Faughan Hill, Bohermeen; sisters, Ann Ward, Isle of Man; Eileen McCabe, Dublin; sons-in-law, Gerry Bannon and John Lynch; sisters-in-law, grandchildren; great grandchildren; nephews, nieces; and a large circle of friends. The removal took place from Derrypatrick to Johnstown Church with burial afterwards in St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. _____________________________________________________________ Olive Thompson, Navan The death occurred on 14th October last of Mrs Olive Thompson, Liscarton, Navan, at her residence. She was a member of the Coffey family of Ardbraccan. Deceased is survived by her husband, John; daughters, Caroline, Linda, Liahana, and Denise; sons-in-law, Niall, Mick, Meháil, and Peader; grandchildren, Kayleigh, Rachel, Jordan, Roseann, Aran, Lea, Conor and Regan; extended family; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from Bohermeen Church to Mount Jerome Crematorium. _____________________________________________________________ Brigid Walsh, Kilmessan Mrs Brigid (Bridie) Walsh, 'Aghade', Kilmessan, who has died age 95, was wife of the late Mr Peter Walsh, who was a garda and predeceased her in August 1989. Aged 95, she passed away at St Elizabeth's Nursing Home, Athboy, on 2nd October. Mrs Walsh (nee McCormack), was a native of Ballon, Co Carlow. She had been an active member of the community in Kilmessan. She was a member of the local Tidy Towns committee at a time when the village was a regular winner of the county title and one of the proudest moments of her life was when she was chosen to receive a national award from then President Patrick Hillery. Deceased oversaw the running of the bingo session in Kilmessan. She was renowned for her ability and love of cards, and was a member of the local bridge club, and played whist every week. She is survived by her daughters, Moira Egan, Newbridge, Co Kildare; Eilis Kinchin, Sydney, Australia; Noelle Ratty, Navan; son, Jimmy, Rathfarnham, Dublin; sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. In addition to her husband, Mrs Walsh was predeceased in 2003 by her son, John. Her remains were removed from St Elizabeth's on Monday evening, 4th October to the Church of the Nativity, Kilmessan. Her interment took place in the adjoining cemetery on Tuesday 5th October.