Obituaries 02-06-2012

Rory Galligan, Oldcastle The death occurred on Monday of last week of rally driver, Rory Galligan, of Bobsville, Crossakiel, Kells. A native of Oldcastle, he was aged 39 and had Motor Neurone Disease. The dedicated motor rallying website, Global Rally News, said last week that Galligan was an immensely well-liked and talented driver. He was perhaps most well-known for being a Mitsubishi works driver in the 2005 and 2006 in the British Rally Championship. Committed and spectacular, he had pace on every surface. His rallying career started in 1993, when he took to the stages in a Talbot Samba. After two years learning the ropes, the Samba was ditched in favour of a Peugeot 205, a challenge-spec car. This is where Galligan's talent was really seen. Even though the car was nearly standard, he beat cars far and above his own class, including WRC cars. The opposition couldn't stand his sheer pace, and he took many class wins in Ireland and Britain on the way to winning the British Class A7 Rally Championship in 1998. He jumped up to a Peugeot 106 to contest the 106 Super Cup, a hotly contested affair. His first year was blighted by crashes, but it was also his first year on gravel, and again he showed his pace. Deceased won the inaugural Billy Coleman Award in 2000, nominated by Motorsport Ireland for outstanding achievements and excellence, and he was regarded as a great ambassador for the sport. He spent another year learning the stages and the car, before, in 2001, he took four 106 Super Cup wins out of eight rounds, on his way to the Championship. Galligan was awarded a works drive in a Peugeot 206 S1600 Kit Car for 2002 for winning the 106 Super Cup the year before. Fraught with mechanical problems throughout the year, he finished on the podium in three of the four events he finished, including a third place on his very first rally in the car. This lead to a fourth placed finish in the hugely competitive S1600 Championship. He made another class jump with a move to the Mitsubishi Evolution challenge in 2004. He spent the season fighting with his old Peugeot rival Paul Wedgbury, claiming the title on the last rally by a single point. This was when his career really took off. He was rewarded with a Mitsubishi works drive for the full British Rally Championship in 2005. He took five Group N wins in his first year as a works driver and took second overall in the Production Championship. He was easily the fastest driver on both gravel and tar. With WRC cars banned in the BRC for 2006, and Galligan chosen to drive a works car for another year, he was given his first proper shot at going for the British Driver's Title. From the first four rounds he took a second, a third and two retirements. He also took part in Rally Finland in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo taking a creditable fifth, in the Group N class, showing he had the talent to compete at world level. Things were going from good to great for the Irishman and it was only a matter of time before he took his first BRC win. However, it wasn't to be. He was struck down with illness part-ways through the 2006 season, and as the illness took hold, he was forced to end his rallying career after his home Ulster Rally. He had spend 13 years in the sport he loved, and two years at the very top of British rallying. After his premature retirement from active rallying, he kept himself in the sport. He was always up-to-date with all the goings on and was willing to help wherever he could. The rallying fraternity provided guards of honour at his funeral in Oldcastle last week. Predeceased by his father, Aidan, Rory Galligan is survived by his wife, Treasa; son, Charlie; daughter, Ella; mother, Eileen; sister, Ethel; father-in-law Patsy; niece; relatives and large circle of friends. The funeral took place from St Brigid's Church, Oldcastle to the local cemetery. Donations in his memory can be made to the to Motor Neurone Association. __________________________________________________________ Bridget Burke, Ballivor Ballivor said farewell to one of its most senior residents with the passing of Mrs Bridget Burke (nee McCabe), Cloneycavan, on 14th May last. Aged 89, she was a native of Cloone, Co Leitrim. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she espoused a life of hardwork, hospitality and generosity. Deceased was deeply committed to her faith, and was known in the community for her devotion to the Rosary. She remained a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association throughout her life. Mrs Burke's great passion was her flower garden, and there was no plant she could not recognise. She was a lover of Gaelic football and loyal Meath supporter. She will be much missed by all those who knew and loved her. She was predeceased by her husband, Paddy, in 1999, and her daughter, Theresa, in 2012. She is survived by her sons, Mick, Brian, Tony and Toby, Ballivor; Pat, Sean, Aidan, New York; daughters, Mary Byrne, Drogheda; Peggy Clinton, Cavan, Rita O'Neill, Dublin, Betty O'Shea, Dunshaughlin, Ann Henry, Mayo and Geraldine Reilly, Delvin; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; sister, brothers; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Columbanus Church, Ballivor, to the new cemetery. The celebrant was Fr Oliver Devine, PP. ____________________________________________________________ Hilary Byrne, Beauparc There was widespread sadness following the death of Mr Hilary Byrne, Beauparc Station, Navan, on 16th May last at his home, aged 68. A native of Bective, he was well known as a distinguished classical guitar player, and played in many Navan-based dance bands over his lifetime. Deceased worked at car valeting, and his hobbies were fishing and shooting. He took great pride in the village of Beauparc, where he lived. Mr Byrne was a loving husband and father, and very proud of his family. Son of the late Henry and Margaret Byrne, St Brigid's Villas, Navan, he is survived by his wife, Eilish; daughter, Carol; son, Declan; brother, Georgie; sister, Maureen; Scotland; grandchildren, Seímí and Beibhinn Byrne and Elsa Burns; son-in-law, John; daughter-in-law, Elaine; mother-in-law, Betty Gray; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Yellow Furze, Beaupark to the adjoining cemetery. A month's memory takes place there on Sunday 17th June at 10.30am. _____________________________________________________________ Joseph Gargan, Kentstown The untimely passing of Mr Joseph (Joe) Gargan, Oliver Plunkett Park, Kentstoiwn, and formerly of The Rock, Garlow Cross, occured on 7th January last, aged 62, at his brother, Raymond's residence. Deceased was very popular character and was known far and near by many, as was evident by the huge crowds that called to the house and attended the funeral. His great passion for lorries led him to haulage contracting and lorry driving for most of his working life. He also had a great love of vintage cars, especially his Ford cars for which many prizes. He was a member of the Boyne Valley Vintage Car Club for many years, where he was held in high esteem. Mr Gargan is survived by his sons. Niall and Sean; daughter, Erin; mother, Betty; daughter-in-law, Hazel; grandchildren; Bobby, Conor, Darragh, Cian and Harry; partner, Monica; brothers, Johnny, Gerry, Ray; sisters, Carmel, Marian and Ann; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Walterstown, to Kentstown Cemetery, where he was laid to rest beside his son, John, who died as a baby. ____________________________________________________________ Mary Vaughan, Castletown There was widespread sadness following the passing of Mrs Mary (Maisie) Vaughan, Clooney, Castletown, Navan on 25th March last at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, aged 82. A native of Drakestown, she was a member of the Ball family. Deceased was a gentle and caring person who had a deep and lasting faith. She lived a happy, fulfilled life and enjoyed the company of her family. She is survived by her husband Paddy; sons, Michael and John; daughters, Bridy, Margaret, Helen, Claire, Carmel and Nora; sons-in-law; daughter-in-law; 22 grandchildren; great grandchild; sisters, Maggie and Nellie, relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Castletown, to the local cemetery.