Recent Deaths 06-12-08

The death occurred recently of Mr Nicholas (Nicky) Walsh, Bartramstown, Clonalvey, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Aged 80, Mr Walsh was son of the late George and Elizabeth Walsh and was a native of Brackenstown, Swords. He worked at maintenance in Aer Lingus and took early retirement, starting up his own mobile shop selling fruit and vegetables in the locality and beyond, and had a stall at Sunday market at the White House, Ashbourne and later at Fairyhouse, retiring four years ago. Deceased is remembered as a 'people"s person". He loved gardening and was a strawberry grower. Mr Walsh was also a member of the local water scheme, and a staunch Fianna Fail supporter. Her assisted in church gate collections, especially for the handicapped. Deceased was a great fan of former Meath GAA manager, Sean Boylan. He is survived by his wife, Marie; daughters Olive Madden, Donore, Carol Walsh, Clonalvey, Fiona Tuite, Sydney, Australia, Mariea Edwards, Clonalvey; sons-in-law, Seamus Madden, James Tuite, Colm Edwards; grandsons, Eirin, Stephen, Edward, Leon Madden; grand daughters, Alli and Nikita Tuite; great granddaughter, Katie Rose Madden; brother, Peter, Swords; sisters, Maureen Macken, Swords and Betty Woodgate, London; brother-in-law Tommy Macken; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from Clonalvey Church to the local cemetery on 7th November last. Mr B McNulty, Kells Several hundred serving and past members of An Garda Siochana and members of the local community paid tribute to former member of the force, Mr Bill McNulty, whose funeral took place in Kells on Monday. Mr McNulty (73), Cavan Road, Kells, died suddenly while attending Mass at the local St Colmcille"s Church last Friday. He had served for 40 years as a member of the former Louth-Meath Garda Division, mainly in Kells, where he built up a reputation as an outstanding community Garda, long before the term was given official recognition within the force. He held the rank of sergeant at retirement. During his time in the Garda, he had also served in the border areas during the early days of The Troubles, which broke out in the North in the late 1960s. When it came time for him to retire from the force after a distinguished career, he had already established strong foundations in community activities. He played a leading role in Headfort Golf Club, Kells, and was a keen angler and gardener. He was also a leading member of the Fianna Fail Party in Kells and was its local honorary president. Speaking at his funeral Mass, Fr John Byrne, PP, Kells, said that while Bill McNulty"s death was untimely, he had nevertheless left behind him a legacy of love and duty for his family but was also an inspiration for young Gardai. He would also be remembered by many people who were able to approach him during times of personal trouble, he said. Deceased is survived by his wife, Rose; sons John, Francis and Damien; daughters, Fidelma and Jennifer; brother, Tony; sisters, Philomena and Frances; grandchildren, nephews, nieces and other relatives. Among the attendance at his funeral on Monday were retired Chief Superintendent Michael Finnegan, retired Superintendents George Dennison and Liam Ward, as well as serving Superintendent Pat Collins and Circuit Court Judge Patrick Smith. St Colmcille"s Church in Kells was full to capacity during the funeral Mass. Afterwards, the coffin, draped in the Tricolour, was escorted from the church by serving and former members of An Garda Siochana and a guard of honour accompanied the cortege as it moved to the local cemetery for the interment. Mr N Fagan, Summerhill The regretted death occurred on 18th November last of Mr Niall Nicholas Fagan, The Moy, Summerhill, at the age of 84. A retired teacher, he was born in Moynalvey, and attended Dangan Primary School and Trim Vocational School. Deceased joined the Irish Batallion of the Free State Army in the Galway Gaeltacht in 1941. Mr Fagan completed his teacher training in 1950 and taught mechanical drawing and woodwork to generations of students, young and old, until his retirement in 1987 from Lucan Vocational School. Deceased had a long association with the GAA. As a player, he captained the Summerhill minor football team in 1942, and was a member of the junior team that won the championship in 1953. Mr Fagan often cycled from Dublin to Meath to play as a senior footballer and he received a Meath Sean Gael Award for his services to the GAA. He was a member of the Summerhill Football Club committee and represented the club as a delegate to the county board. Mr Fagan was a carpenter by trade and built his own home, made home and garden furniture, toys, canoes, beehives and birdhouses. Among the projects he developed was a unique finger-jointed hurley stick, the main purpose being to save the ash tree. Deceased loved nature, respected the environment and cultivated a garden with water features. One of his greatest passions was his love of Ireland, its land, language and culture, and he worked tirelessly, devotedly and optimistically towards his dream to see a united 32-county Ireland. He was a member of the anti-partition movement and a long time member of Republican Sinn Fein. Mr Fagan had been treasurer, ard comhairle member and chairman of the ard fheis at varying times. He was an active member of the Summerhill Community Centre, and worked on committees from its early beginnings to the vibrant centre it is today. He participated in the FAS committee responsible for the local Meals on Wheels service. Deceased was a a big contributor to the book 'History and Folklore of Coole and Summerhill Parish" and organised the remembrance celebration of the Wexford men of 1798. He was involved in protecting local burial mounds and monuments. Mr Fagan died on 18th November after a brief illness at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan. The funeral took place from Dangan Church, Summerhill, to Moy Cemetery. Chief celebrant was Fr Patrick Fitzsimons, assisted by Fr TP Gavin, Fr Lafferty, and Fr Kiernan. His daughter Ursula sang and played the organ. A colour party of Republican Sinn Fein accompanied the remains to Moy Cemetery where Ruairi ' Bradaigh, president of Republican Sinn Fein, gave an oration. Deceased is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances; family, Eimear, Fergus, Ciaran, Eoin; grandchildren, great grandchildren; brothers, Jerome and Pearse; sister, Bernadette; daughters-in-law, son-in-law, nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was predeceased by a son, Padraig. Mrs M Farrelly, Boyerstown Mrs Margaret Farrelly, Betaghstown, Boyerstown, Navan, who died recently, was a member of the Keenan family of Longford. She was aged 84 and was predeceased by her husband, Patrick, in December 1995. Deceased is survived by her sons, Martin, Sean, Patrick, Bernard, Thomas, Edward, Matthew and Frank; daughters, Olive, Nancy, Ellen and Mae; sisters, Roseanne, Tess and Carmel; grandchildren, great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces and other relatives. The funeral took place from Boyerstown Church to the local cemetery. Mr B Keelan, Kells The recent death of Mr Brian Keelan at Dublin"s Mater Hospital was a cause of widespread regret not only in his native area of Loughan, between Carnaross and Moynalty, but also much further afield. He was aged 80. A farmer by occupation, Mr Keelan was a great supporter of the GAA at both club and county level. He was also a talented singer and musician and was very well-known over a wide area for having the gift of healing. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mrs Kitty Keelan; brother, Michael, Drogheda; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and other relatives. There was a large and representative attendance at the funeral which took place from Carnaross Church to Moynalty Cemetery. Mrs E McKenna, Dunboyne There was great sadness over a wide area following the recent death in St Joseph"s Hospital, Trim, of Mrs Elizabeth (Lily) McKenna, St Patrick"s Park, Dunboyne, at the age of 92. Originally a member of the Sherlock family of Dunboyne, she was married to the late Thomas McKenna who died in 1983. She was a lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. Deceased is survived by her daughters, Teresa Malone and Elizabeth Crosby; sons, Patrick, Frank and Thomas; brother, Frank; sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephew and nieces. Her remains were removed to the Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Dunboyne, and her funeral took place after the funeral Mass there to Rooske Cemetery, Dunboyne. Mr L O"Reilly, Fordstown The recent death occurred, at his home, of Mr Laurence (Larry) O"Reilly, Piercetown, Fordstown, Navan. A native of Kilskyre, Kells, he was a well-known farmer in the locality. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mrs Marian O"Reilly; sons, Gerard, Aidan and John; daughters, Linda, Maeve and Brenda; brothers, sisters, in-laws, grandchildren, aunts, nephews and nieces. The funeral took place from Cortown Church to the local cemetery.