'Heartbreaking': Limerick city and county communities left reeling at three tragedies
Three people die in just three days in Killeely, Kilmeedy and Adare in tragic circumstances
A MUM-of-three, a dad-of-two and a young man, aged in his early 20s, will all be laid to rest this week after three tragic incidents in three days.
Their communities in the city and county have been left reeling at the suddenness of their deaths.
Robert Duggan, aged in his 30s, of Smith O’Brien Avenue, Killeely, Limerick city, passed away following a house fire on Thursday. He was pronounced deceased at the scene in Killeely following the attendance of emergency services.
Elizabeth (Liz) Lynch, aged 44, died after a septic tank trench collapsed in Kilmeedy on Friday afternoon. She was immediately rescued from the trench but was pronounced deceased at the scene.
It is understood that Liz was assisting with the construction of a house at the time. In a double tragedy, it is the same property that her brother Timothy Lynch Jnr was working on when he also passed away suddenly last November. A number of sporting fixtures were postponed in west Limerick at the weekend out of respect for the popular woman.
Two more families are also reeling after a fatal road traffic collision on the N21 at Cummeen, Adare, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The driver, Nathan Browne, aged in his early 20s, from Glin, was fatally injured while a male passenger, aged in his 20s, remains in a critical condition. A second passenger received non-life threatening injuries.
Separately, funeral arrangements have been announced for Mr Duggan, a father-of-two. He will repose at Griffin’s Funeral Home, John’s Gate, this Monday, September 21, from 3pm to 4.30pm. Funeral arriving to St Munchin’s Church, Clancy Strand, on Tuesday, September 22 for Requiem Mass at 1.30pm, followed by burial in Castlemungret Cemetery, Mungret.
Countless tributes have been paid to Mr Duggan who was described as “a true gentleman and character” and “would do anything for anyone”.
Mum-of-three Ms Lynch, well known in GAA and coaching circles, was also fondly remembered. No funeral arrangements had been announced at the time of going to press.
Minister of State Niall Collins said there is a “numbness” across west Limerick following the passing of Ms Lynch.
“It is just such an awful tragedy - and less than a year after her brother passed away - that it has stopped everybody in their tracks. Everybody’s thoughts are with her family and especially her three young boys.
“Liz was the very definition of a community person and her loss will be keenly felt by so many in the days, months and years ahead. I know the local communities will rally around and support the family in any way they can just like Liz did for others,” said Mr Collins.
May they all rest in peace.