Recent Deaths 25-10-08

Mr J Clarke, Slane Slane was in mourning this week following the death on Sunday of the popular former sergeant, Mr John Clarke, Crewbane. He had been a garda and a sergeant in the village for a total of 34 years and continued to live there since his retirement ten years ago. A native of County Longford, John Clarke joined the gardai in 1963 and when finished training he worked in Drogheda for a year and was then transferred to Dunshaughlin where he was stationed until late 1964. He was transferred to Slane at the end of 1964 and served there until 1977 when he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred to Dunshaughlin. The following year he was stationed in Omeath, where he spent 18 months on border duty before returning to Slane as Sergeant in 1979, where he served until his retirement in January 1999. For the final ten years of his career as sergeant, he was an active member of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors and played an important role in improving working conditions of members during that period, spending three years on the national executive. During his years in Slane he was responsible for preparing and implementing policing plans for successive Slane Castle concerts. Former chief superintendent, Michael Finnegan, said the success of these concerts were testament to John Clarke"s dedication and hard work. 'He always put the safety and security of the people of Slane first and fought tooth and nail to ensure they were protected,' he said. I had the pleasure of working with him for many years and he was one of the most dedicated and honest members I worked with,' said Mr Finnegan. John Clarke was an active member of the successful Slane Tidy towns Committee for many years and was a member of the Ledwidge Museum Committee.He is survived by his wife, Eileen, who was originally a member of the O"Sullivan family of Dunshaughlin; daughters, Mary, a teacher in Dublin, Eileen Lynch, a detective in the immigration unit and Rachel O"Malley, a detective in the garda technical bureau; son Emmanuel, an IT consultant; brothers Michael, Drumree, and Joseph, Longford, sons-in-law, Paul and John, grandchildren, Sean, Conor, Naoise, Noirin, Eimear, Fiona, Aoife, Niamh, in-laws, relatives and friends. He was predeceassed by an infant son, Sean. His remain were removed from his home yesterday (Tuesday) to St Patrick"s Church, Slane and his funeral took place yesterday to St Erc"s Cemetery. It was the second bereavement for the family in recent times following the passing of his brother-in-law, Brian O"Sullivan of Moynalvey, also a retired garda, at the end of August. Mr J Conlon, Kildalkey The recent death in Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan, of Mr Joseph (Joe) Conlon (63), Pubblestown, Kildalkey, aroused much sadness over a wide area. Son of the late Joseph and Mary Conlon, the late Mr Conlon was a native of Pubblestown and a retired farmer. Deceased is survived by his brothers, Pat and Gerry, Coolronan and Ballivor, and Mick, Manchester, UK; sisters, Dolores, Cork; Maureen, Teresa, Eileen, Sheila and Betty, UK; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and other relatives. The funeral took place from St Dympna"s Church, Kildalkey, to Kilaconnigan Cemetery, Ballivor. Mr F Tohill, London & Navan The death recently occurred of Mr Fred Tohill, 11 Barnes Court, Lofting Road, London, and formerly of Emmett Terrace, Navan. Mr Tohill left Navan in the 1960s. During his many years in the UK, he devoted himself to his love of music and poetry and was very involved in a writers" circle in Islington, where he lived. He published a book of poems and songs entitled 'And That There" in the early 1990s. In 2006, he released on CD of songs for which he had composed the music and lyrics. At that time, he became a member of the Guild of International Songwriters and Composers. He also appeared on BBC television some years ago and also was featured on radio. Mr Tohill was a close friend with Danny Crawford, governor of The King"s Head in Islington, more commonly known as 'The Theatre Pub". Widely acclaimed for his talent, he was well-known for his wit and humour and the ability to write a poem for many of the patrons there at a moment"s notice. He was chairman of Children with Leukaemia Scientific Advisory Committee, Great Ormond"s St Children"s Hospital, and UCL. Another Navan poet, Charlie Walsh, a long-term friend of the deceased, travelled from his home in Norfolk with his wife and son to attend Mr Tohill"s funeral at St Bede"s RC Church in Chadwell Heath, Essex. Mr S Brady, Navan Business people and townsfolk of Navan were joined by friends and neighbours from his native Cavan to say farewell to Ludlow Street publican, Sean Brady, at his funeral in the town on Monday morning. Aged 52, the popular proprietor of Brady"s on Ludlow Street died after a long illness on Friday last. A native of Castlerahan, Co Cavan, Mr Brady bought the former Finnegan"s Pub, one of the town"s longest established, in 1990. When a student at Oldcastle post-primary school, he played with the Meath VEC side and won an Ulster Minor Championship medal with Cavan in 1974. On moving to Meath, he played and got involved with Wolfe Tones GAA club. Deceased had a great love of Irish culture, heritage, and music, and hosted regular music sessions at Ludlow Street. He also founded a soccer club in Navan in the 1990s, Boyneside Celtic, with its base at the pub, and which played in the Meath and District League. Mr Brady also had a keen interest in current affairs and kept up to date with the daily Irish Times. The family was also involved in a public house in Dundalk. Predeceased by his mother, Bridget, Mr Brady is survived by his wife, Bernadette, daughters Sarah, Dearbhail, Aoife, and Aisling; father, John Charles; sister, Marian; brothers, Philip, Tony and Noel; mother-in-law, Philomena; in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral Mass took place in St Mary"s Church, Navan, followed by burial in Castlerahan Cemetery.