Funeral of former Property Services Regulator delayed as wife recovers from crash injuries

The funeral of  Thomas Lynch of Gormanston, the victim of the horrific multi-vehicle collision that occurred near Kilbeggan over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend, will take place in Julianstown on Monday next.

Mr Lynch was the former director of the Navan-based National Property Services Regulatory Authority. His funeral has been delayed as his family has been waiting for his wife, Nuala, who was also in the car with him, to be well enough to attend. She is currently undergoing assessments in the midlands hospitals.
Thomas (Tom) Lynch retired as chief executive of the Property Services Regulatory Authority in 2015.
Following the property debacle of the Celtic Tiger years the regulatory body was set up under the Property Services 2011 Act, and Mr Lynch and his Navan-based team became responsible for the licensing and regulation of the property industry in the Republic.
The architect of the authority in his role as chief executive designate, Mr Lynch had been head of the authority since its inception in 2012.
In 2006, the then minister for justice, Michael McDowell, announced that Mr Lynch, who was a principal officer in his department, would be director designate of the new authority, based on Abbey Road in Navan. The following year, the offices in Navan were opened by Mr McDowell’s successor, the late Brian Lenihan.
Mr Lynch played a key role in establishing the body, working closely with the implementation group for the authority set up to promote high standards in the property services sector and a new regulatory framework for auctioneering, estate agency, property letting and property management services in Ireland. When he retired, he planned to embark on a tour of Europe.

Gardai in Westmeath believe that the multi-vehicle crash on the M6 just before 1pm on St Patrick’s Day was one of a series of simultaneous accidents caused by an extremely heavily localised hail shower. 
Five cars were involved in the incident, close to the Kilbeggan exit, eastbound. The motorway was closed in both directions for a number of hours as ambulances and an air ambulance attended the scene. 
Mr Lynch, who was 68, was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, Nuala, was taken to the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar.
Four drivers and five passengers in the other vehicles were take to the regional hospitals in Mullingar and Tullamore. A passenger with serious injuries was taken by helicopter to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. 
The St Patrick’s Day Parade in Tyrrellspass was cancelled to allow the gardai divert traffic off the M6 and through Tyrrrellspass.
The parade committee expressed sympathies of the organisers to the deceased’s family. 
The Property Services Regulatory Authority says that it is with great sadness that it learned of the death of its former chief executive, Tom Lynch. 
“Tom was instrumental in the establishment of the PSRA and will be remembered by the sector for his tireless work in driving standards and professionalising the property services sector. 
A spokesperson added: “Tom was a career civil servant who served with the Department of Justice and Equality prior to his appointment as chief executive. 
“Our thoughts are with Tom’s wife, Nuala, and his family at this difficult time.”

The current chief executive of the the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers, Mullingar estate agent Pat Davitt, worked closely with Tom Lynch as an original board member of the PRSA. 
Mr Davitt said that Mr Lynch set up the first regulatory authority for the property industry, a major thing at the time, having written the act as a civil servant, and getting the licencing system established when the legislation finally went through the Oireachtas in 2012. 
“He was always very helpful to the industry, travelling around the country to address seminars and give advice, “ Mr Davitt added, extending his sympathies to the family.

Limerick native Mr Lynch, of Irishtown, Gormanston,  is survived by his wife, Nuala, son, Thomas, and daughter, Megan; sisters, Carmel, Vera, Aileen and Brenda; son-in-law, Chris, Thomas’s fiancée Natasha, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

The funeral Mass will be on Monday morning, 1st April, at 11am in St. Mary's Church, Julianstown. Burial afterwards in Flemington Cemetery.