Oldcastle mourns popular fundraiser 'with big heart"

Oldcastle was in a state of shock and mourning this week following the death of popular local man Liam Sheridan in a road accident on Saturday evening. Mr Sheridan (66) was fatally injured in the accident at Fennor, Oldcastle, at around 6.10pm on Saturday evening, when his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a car. Mr Sheridan was removed by ambulance to Cavan General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the car and her young passenger were treated for shock at the scene. The road was closed for some time on Saturday to facilitate an examination by Garda forensic collision investigators. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact the Gardai at Kells at (046) 928 0820 or the Garda Confidential line 1 800 666 111. Mr Sheridan was described by an Oldcastle friend as a man who had as his motto 'let me help you' because of his long-standing association with local and national charitable causes. Aged 66, Mr Sheridan was born in St Bridget"s Terrace, Oldcastle, and lived most of his life there, attended the local national school and later Oldcastle Secondary School. After that, he joined the Air Corps at Baldonnel, Co Dublin. He was an aircraft technician, electrician and fitter and held jobs in a variety of industries. He piloted one of the planes during the filming in Ireland of 'The Blue Max", a 1966 British film about a German fighter pilot on the Western Front during World War 1, which starred George Peppard, James Mason and Ursula Andress. He was thrilled to have been given a small part in the film. He also spent three months in Turkey with actors Charles Bronson and Tony Curtis while they were making a movie there. He went on to work at Weston Helicopters, Sean Curran"s garage, at Paddy Farrelly"s, Respa Beds (Kellett"s) and Vanguard Plastics, all in Oldcastle; Liffey Meats, Ballyjamesduff, and Mercury Engineering, Dublin, from where he retired in 2007. He had a deep and lasting love of motorsport and was a founder of the Cavan Motor Club in Cavan almost three decades ago. He was also involved in the Castle Automobile Club and the Oldcastle Motorcycle Club. He completed the Circuit of Ireland in 1970 with his good friend, Hughie Fleming. He undertook many national and international rallies with David Yeates of Dunboyne. Mr Sheridan was also a valued member of Oldcastle Fire Brigade. He had set up his own business and drove transport vehicles all over the country and in Europe. When it came to community affairs, the late Mr Sheridan was to the forefront in organising fundraising events for charity. He had raised funds on many occasions for Our Lady"s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, for Temple Street Children"s Hospital, Cappagh Hospital and for the Cancer Foundation of Ireland. He had been heavily involved in the planning of a big fundraising motor run for cancer research in three weeks" time. Mr Sheridan was described by his peers as a man with exceptional hands and a great engineering head. His friend, Tosh Kellett, said on Monday that Liam Sheridan had no equal when it came to rally driving. 'He was a good driver, a great guy and a great friend and I know he is going to be very much missed in Oldcastle and wider afield. If Liam had a catchphrase it would be 'let me help you" because he had a big heart,' he said. Deceased is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Mark, Alan, Ruth and Brian; brother, Brendan; daughters-in-law, Audrey, Catriona and Karen; grandchildren, Rachael, Pearse and Caitlin, and other relatives. He was predeceased by his parents, Padraig and Martha, and his brother, Pearse. His remains will be removed from his home in Oldcastle to Oldcastle Church for 11am Mass today (Wednesday) burial will take place afterwards at Moylagh Cemetery.