Obituaries 28-01-2012

There was widespread sadness following the passing of Mr Edward (Ned) Gillespie, Main Street, Enfield, after a short illness, at the Hermitage Medical Clinic, Lucan, Co Dublin, on 28th December last. Mr Gillespie was a former Garda in Enfield who was well known for his involvement in sports clubs in the area. A native of Kinnakillew, Cashel, Glencolmcille, Co Donegal, he was born on 5th August 1923, one of ten children. Deceased was in his 89th year and lived life to the full, still walking the ring road in Enfield on a daily basis at the age of 88, and who enjoyed reading and particularly his crosswords. He and his wife, Cissie, celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2011. Mr Gillespie joined the Garda force in 1947, and transferred to Enfield in 1961 after being stationed in Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan. He served at Enfield Garda Station until he retired in August 1986, after 41 years service in the force. In Gaelic football, deceased had championship medals from Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Toome, and Enfield at the age of 42 (Na Fianna Football Club formerly Enfield Football Club) and played his last match with Enfield in goals at the age of 57. He was posted to Corrinshigo Barracks, Culloville, Co Monaghan, in the early fifties. He played with Donaghmoyne GFC from 1951 until 1956, and lined out at right half forward in the 1953 senior county final, losing out to Ballybay. He joined Toome GFC in 1956, where he played in midfield when Toome defeated Latton to lift the Dr Ward Cup, the club's first county trophy, in 1958. This was regarded as his best game in the St Victors jersey. He gave an exhibition in high fielding and accurate ball distribution to the forwards, setting up many scoring opportunities. The club, in a tribute, said that deceased made a tremendous contribution to the largely youthful Toome squad at the time; apart from his vast footballing experience, (he already was in possession of a Donegal senior championship medal with his native Glencolmkille), he was a born leader and motivator, both on and off the field. Mr Gillespie was very proud to see his grandson, Summerhill's Conor Gillespie, play senior football for Meath. Deceased was a founder member of Enfield Boxing Club and along with Jim McDonagh, prepared many young boxers to achieve success at national level. In 1977, they had six boxers in the All Ireland Boxing finals. Three members got gold, including his son Ben, with three runners-up. In 1978, the club won Best Boxing Club in Leinster with nine Leinster titles including his Ben and brother, Mark, and was very unlucky not to win Best Club in Ireland when they had boxers in the All Ireland final, only losing out by one medal to the renowned Holy Family Boxing Club, Belfast. Mr Gillespie is survived by his wife, Cissie; sons Ben, Mark, Conal; daughter Mary; grandsons Gavin, Conor, Ciaràn and Alan; granddaughters, Shauna, Clodagh, Mèadhbh and Megan; son-in-law, Eric; daughters-in-law Adrienne and Sylvia; brother Con; sisters, Mary, Rose, Catherine, Bridget, Annie, Lucy, nephews, nieces and large extended family. The funeral took place on 30th December from Church of the Assumption, Jordanstown, Enfield, to the adjoining cemetery. Tributes and guards of honour were provided by Na Fianna GAA club and Sergeant Robbie Harrison and his colleagues from Enfield Garda Station. A month's memory Mass takes place at the Church of the Assumption, Jordanstown, Enfield, at 11am on Sunday 29th January. ____________________________________________________________ Paddy Regan, Dunboyne There was widespread regret following the passing of Mr Paddy Regan, Castle View, Dunboyne, at his home on 7th January last, aged 48. Deceased was son of the Eileen and the late Joe Regan (Kiltale). He was well known in Meath GAA circles for driving players to and from training sessions during Sean Boylan's term as manager of the county football team, and had a large circle of friends. Mr Regan is survived by his mother, Eileen; sister, Ann McNally; brothers, Martin and Jim; nieces, Sandra, Linda, Gillian and Joanne; grandnieces, Tori, Katie, Shauna; and grandnephew, Dylan. The funeral took place on Thursday 14th January from Ss Peter's and Paul's Church, Dunboyne, to Glasnevin Crematorium. _____________________________________________________________ Joe Wogan, Navan The passing of Mr Joe Wogan, Old Windtown, Navan, at his residence on 17th January last, was the source of considerable sadness. Aged 74, he was son of the late Joe and Christina Wogan, and a native of Navan. In his early years, Mr Wogan worked with Geraghty's Furniture on the Trim Road, Navan and played football with the Commons GFC. He was regarded by many to be a very skilful and tough footballer. He also played soccer with Flower Hill and Windtown Village before emigrating. On his return, deceased joined the Meath County Council, where he worked until his retirement. He is survived by his brothers, John, Old Windtown, Michael, Clusker Park; sister, Theresa McKenna, Birmingham; sister-in-law, Maureen Wogan, Clusker Park; nephews, Joseph Wogan, Wexford, James Wogan, Dublin, Robert Wogan, Kilberry, Frank McKenna, Birmingham, Noel McKenna, Birmingham; nieces, Theresa McKenna, Birmingham, Gwen Coogan, Navan, Helen Wogan, Navan, Tracey Gernon, Carlanstown, Leona McEneany, Kentstown and grandnieces and nephews. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Seamus McConville, Tralee Mr Seamus McConville who has died in Tralee, Co Kerry aged 79 was editor of The Kerryman for 14 years and started his journalistic career with the Meath Chronicle. He was at the helm of The Kerryman from 1974 until his retirement in 1988 but continued to write a column - My Town - as a contributor for the paper up to November last. Born in 1932, Mr McConville's early life was typical of the son of a Garda superintendent (later chief superintendent) and the family moved around a lot as his father, William's, postings demanded. It was in Mohill, Co Leitrim that deceased spent his formative years and he received his secondary education at Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath. Early in his career he considered joining the priesthood with the Franciscans in Killarney. However, he veered in another direction and joined the Meath Chronicle as a cub reporter. He cut his teeth in journalism with the paper before joining the now-defunct Irish News Agency in Dublin. After his arrival in Tralee, he met his future wife, Dolores. The couple married in 1960 and had a family of four, Denise, Sean, Fiona and Marissa. Throughout his long career he worked on all the major stories in the Southwest, both in his role as a reporter for The Kerryman and as RTE correspondent, including the murder of Moss Moore in North Kerry that inspired John B Keane's play 'The Field'. He was a man of principle and courage. At one stage during the Troubles, he ignored a demand not to publish an article by the journalist Con Houlihan despite receiving a death threat. While he led a busy life as editor of the local newspaper, he became deeply involved in community affairs. He was a driving force in the early years of the Rose of Tralee festival and was also fundamental in the foundation of Siamsa Tire, the national folk theatre. He was also a member of the Lions Club, St Joseph's Young Priests' Society, and the more informal 'Cornerboys', a group of friends who gathered to discuss the affairs of the nation. Following his funeral Mass in Tralee, a guard of honour made up of past and present staff of The Kerryman led the cortege through the centre of Tralee. The interment took place at New Rath Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Annette O'Reilly, Navan The regretted death took place at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan of Ms Annette O'Reilly, Troytown Heights, Navan, on 8th January last. Aged 34 and a native of Navan, she was daughter of Margaret and the late Matthew O'Reilly. She is survived by her mother, Margaret; brothers; Gerard, Martin, John, Kevin, Matthew, Dominic; sisters, Catherine, Jacinta, Mary, Stephanie; nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. The funeral took place on the 11th January from St Oliver's Church, Blackcastle, Navan, to Old Kilcarn Cemetery.