Tributes paid on passing of retired Bailieboro librarian

Funeral of late Lucy Clarke to take place later this week.

Tributes have been paid to a retired librarian who passed away at the weekend following a road accident in the east of the county on Tuesday evening of last week.

Pedestrian Lucy Clarke was on the way home from a relative's wake when she was struck by a vehicle in Bailieborough.

Lucy Clarke (née McCaul) of Virginia Road, Bailieborough, sadly passed away on Saturday, peacefully ,at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, surrounded by her family. She was in her 80s.

Formerly of The Hideout Bar, Bailieborough, and Co Monaghan, the deceased also served as librarian in the town, and tributes were paid to the late Mrs Clarke at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Cavan County Council.

Kind and highly respected

She was described as “sprightly” by Aontú’s Sarah O’Reilly, who further credited the late Mrs Clarke for her “trustworthiness, competence and her ability to get things done efficiently and with little fuss.

Bailieborough Library meanwhile posted on social media that they were “heartbroken” by the death of former “colleague and friend” Mrs Clarke.

“She was a joy to work with, loyal, hardworking, professional and great fun. She remained in close contact after her retirement, joining us on many a social occasion. She will be dearly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”

Mrs Clarke was taken from the scene on the R165 last Tuesday evening to Cavan General Hospital where her condition was described at the time as “critical”.

She was subsequently moved to Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda for further treatment, but passed away as a result of her injuries, according to gardaí, on Saturday, November 12.

Investigation

Following the accident, the R165 was closed while a technical examination was conducted by Forensic Collision Investigators, and in the wake of her passing, gardaí renewed their appeal for information asking for any witnesses to “come forward”.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bailieboro Garda Station on 042 969 4570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111, or any Garda Station.”

Mrs Clarke is predeceased by husband Paddy and her brother Philip. She is survived by her children Leonie, Gemma and Ronan; grandchildren Sean, Emma, Orla and James; sons-in law Brendan and Val; daughter-in-law Carina; sisters Celia and Joeen; brother Leo; sisters-in-law Breda, Carol, Nora, Agnes and Dympna; nieces, nephews, cousins and a wide circle of friends and neighbours.

Her remains will repose at Clarke's Funeral Home this evening (Wednesday) from 5.30-8.30pm, before her Funeral Mass at St Anne's Church, Bailieborough, tomorrow (Thursday), at 11.30am, with burial afterwards in St Anne's cemetery.

The accident in which Mrs Clarke was involved in is one of more than half a dozen to have occurred on Irish roads in the past seven days, and brings to 10 the number of deaths reported on local roads in Cavan-Monaghan this year.