HEART-RENDING SCENES AS CIARA IS LAID TO REST
There were heart-rending scenes as tragic crash victim, Ciara O’Brien, was laid to rest in Fermoy this week. The vibrant 26 year old lost her life in a traffic accident near Mitchelstown on Saturday evening last, April 25.
Ciara was fatally injured when the car in which she was travelling was involved in a collision with a second vehicle at Cloonlough, south of Mitchelstown on the N8 Dublin-Cork road at 6.20pm.
Ms O’Brien, who worked at Murphy’s Abbey Pharmacy in Mitchelstown, was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the other car and four young passengers, aged between 5 and 12, were taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, where their injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Gardai closed off the road to allow forensic crash investigators examine the scene and put temporary diversions in place.
Ciara O’Brien’s family have strong connections with Fermoy GAA, and all games involving the club that were due to take place last Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday were cancelled, with the minor hurling premier championship game postponed as a mark of respect to the O’Brien family.
Fermoy GAA chairman, Brendan Keane, expressed the club’s sympathy for the O’Briens this week.
“Everyone in Fermoy GAA is shocked and saddened at Ciara’s death. Ciara herself and her family are long-term members of Fermoy GAA. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her parents Tom and Ann, brothers Jack and Tom, her sister Aine, and her extended family,” Mr Keane said.
Peter Murphy, the owner of Murphy’s Abbey Pharmacy, where Ms O’Brien worked, told The Avondhu, “Ciara joined the staff of Murphy’s Rexall Pharmacy in Lower Cork Street during the summer of 2004, introduced by Barry Scannell, to whom we are forever grateful. We were immediately struck by her vivacious personality, her ability to face every challenge and especially her empathy with customers.
"She went on to study and complete an honours degree in pharmacy in Trinity College, Dublin. After completing her pre-reg year in Cork, we were delighted to have her back in Abbey Pharmacy.
"In her short time with us, Ciara endeared herself to staff and customers alike. Ciara was a girl of many talents; she was involved in hockey, camogie and also sang in the choir in Fermoy. Her energy and enthusiasm for life showed in her work and in her dealings with customers.
"On behalf of Eileen, the staff, the customers and myself, I would like to say that we have been honoured to have been touched by such a unique person as Ciara and her sad loss will be greatly felt by all of us. To her parents Tom and Ann, sister Aine, brothers Jack and Tom, boyfriend Stephen and her extended family, we extend our sincere condolences.”
A guard of honour was formed at requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Fermoy before burial at Kilcrumper New Cemetery. Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact them at Fermoy garda station on 025-82100.
They have appealed for the drivers and occupants of a white van heading in the Mitchelstown direction and a grey car travelling in the Fermoy direction that may have witnessed the collision to contract them.
The Avondhu would like to express its sympathy to Ciara’s family, extended family and friends.
Published:
Thursday 30th April 8:24pm
