Louth councillor reflects on ‘tsunami of grief’ felt in region this Christmas

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A ‘cloud of darkness’ will hang over Louth and neighbouring counties this Christmas after the “tsunami of grief” which hit the region in the last few months, according to a local councillor.

Cllr. John Sheridan brought the December meeting of Ardee Municipal District to a close with a reflection on the impact of a series of tragedies in the area.

He said there was “a feeling from everyone you meet” that communities had not recovered from devastating events in the mid-Louth area.

There was widespread shock and grief at the deaths of Mark O’Connor, 54, his wife Louise O’Connor, 56, and their 27-year-old son Evan O’Connor, who were murdered at their home in Drumgowna, Tallanstown on Monday, September 29.

In November a devastating two-vehicle crash on the Ardee Road, Gibstown, resulted in the deaths of five young people; Chloe McGee (23) from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan; Alan McCluskey, (23), from Drumconrath, Co Meath; Dylan Commins, (23), from Ardee, Co Louth; Shay Duffy, (21), from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

Only one week later, as funerals were taking place across the region for the five young men and women, another accident claimed the life of Pauline Sweeney (74) who died following a collision in Ardee.

The community of Tallanstown is also grieving the loss of bus-driver Paul Conway, who died in a crash at Gormanstown, County Meath.

Cllr. Sheridan said: "Since September, you could only call it a tsunami of grief. With Christmas coming, for the family and friends of the bereaved, I can’t imagine what they are facing.”

“There is definitely a wider impact, I think the sheer scale of the tragedies, from September in Drumgowna, and the road accidents, and the individual bereavements that have happened.”

Some of these incidents “were so close to home for us,” said Cllr. Sheridan.

He added that all of the first responders, and Louth County Council staff, were all feeling the impact of these events.

"The schools have really felt it, and local clubs providing guards of honour at funerals.”

He said his fellow councillor Jim Tenanty, who is an undertaker, had been at the coalface of meeting bereaved families at such traumatic times.

"We should note how much people, and communities, have stepped up over the last few months, with the different vigils that have been held,” said Cllr. Sheridan.

"My message this Christmas is that people should mind themselves, and know that help is there if they need it.”

Cllr. Tenanty told the meeting there had been “difficult times” in his work, but that his sympathies were always with the families who were facing terrible losses.

"The community spirit has been inspiring, especially the young people who came out in support of the families, I am very proud of the young people in this area.”

Cllr. Rachel Kerley agreed that the impact was still being felt across the region, and asked if the council could promote some of the organisations available if people are struggling and need help over the Christmas period.

Cllr. Pearse McGeough said: “As someone whose father was killed in a traffic accident, I empathise with all the families.”

He added: “The loss from a traffic accident, the knock on the door, it destroys families. You never recover from the loss, hopefully all families can stick together, it is the only way to get through it.”

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Dolores Minogue said there was “definitely a dark cloud” hanging over Louth, Monaghan and Meath after the tragedies of recent months.

"It’s evident in this room that there is a sadness with us, but we praise the community spirit, especially from our young people.”

She said the message should go out to all over the Christmas season to “just be careful, be mindful of all road users, everybody wants to get home safe. No one wants that knock on the door.”