Mayo Cllrs remember those who lost loved ones

The families who lost loved ones in two recent tragedies were remembered at a meeting of Mayo County Council.

Sympathies were expressed to the Cryan and Loftus families following the sad loss of Roisin Cryan and to the family of 17-year old Achill teenager Luca Callaghan who lost his life in a road traffic accident.

The meeting of Mayo County Council was adjourned as a mark of respect to their memory and other families who have lost loved ones recently including Cllr Ger Deere, on the death of his sister Celia; Cllr Harry Barrett, on the death of his father, Harry Snr ; Cllr Neil Cruise, on the death of his mother-in-law, Grace Kelly; the Swanick family on the death of Bernie Condron (mother of Aislinn Swanick, son-in-law Keith); and Mid West Radio journalist Teresa O'Malley on the passing of her mother, Mary.

Cllr Michael Loftus, a cousin of Roisin Cryan’s fiancée Conor Loftus, expressed his sympathy to the Cryan family and thanked those involved in the search for Roisin.

“It was the amazing the amount of people that did come out,” said Cllr Loftus. He praised all those involved in the search effort and gave special mention to Conor’s football teammates in both Crossmolina and the county side. “They were an absolute credit. A credit to the county and a credit to our community,” said Cllr Loftus.

Cllr Al McDonnell said the tragedy had shocked “the entire county of Mayo.” Cllr Loftus also sympathised with the community of Achill following yet another death on Mayo’s roads. “A 17-year old who is just beginning his life,” said Cllr Loftus.

Achill councillor Paul McNamara said the community was left stunned following the fatal accident.

“We had a tragedy that has absolutely rocked the community. It’s the phone call and knock on the door that every parent dreads,” said Cllr McNamara.

“A young lad, 17 years of age. The world was his oyster,” he added.

Tributes were also paid to the late Celia Deere, the sister of Cllr Ger Deere. She was described as a “lovely lady, with a lovely warm smile.” The worth ethic of the late Harry Barrett Snr was praised. The Belmullet man was a diligent member of the outdoor staff of Mayo County Council for many years.

I knew Harry Barrett very well. He worked at Mayo County Council at a time when work was work. There was no machine or digger, there was the spade and the shovel,” said Cllr Gerry Coyle.