Limerick man's memory lives on in the kindness of family
Family donate over €4,400 to those that helped bring their missing brother and uncle home
THE MCSWEENEY family have donated over €4,400 to those that helped bring their missing brother and uncle, John Michael, home to them after eight days of searching.
Touchingly, John Michael even supported the two good causes - Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue and Little Blue Heroes - through €320 in coins found in his wardrobe.
The 73-year-old Athea man was found to be missing on Saturday afternoon, January 6. A search near his home, led by
Inspector Gearoid Thompson, commenced that would end up taking eight days in freezing conditions and involve over 1,000 people covering miles of forestry, bogland and rough ground.
Martin McSweeney, a brother of John Michael, said it was a blessing when they found him.
“He died where he was happy. He loved walking. It was like he was sound asleep. It had been dry all week but after we found him a lovely mist descended upon us for about 20 minutes. It was like our Lord saying we have closure now. It was unique,” said Martin.
A cross has been erected where John Michael was found. Martin said the family was humbled by the support they got.
“There were hundreds of volunteers out searching for John Michael. Every sports club and organisation in Loughill-Ballyhahill put money into a fund in the shop in Ballyhahill for food.
“There was €1,060 put into the bucket in the church, €615 left in the shop in Ballyhahill, Carrigkerry Wrenboys gave €500. It was unbelievable the goodness of people.
“We found four bags of coins in my brother John Michael’s wardrobe that came to €320. We put that in the fund so even he donated,” said Martin.
The family and a few close friends topped up the money to give €2,210 each to Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue and Little Blue Heroes, on behalf of gardai, to show their gratitude.
But John Michael did something money can’t buy.
“He brought a whole community together, broke down barriers, all with one common denominator - to find John Michael. We couldn’t have done it without the volunteers.
“We have to single out Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue, a brilliant organisation who put their backs to the wheel, and gardai who were like an extension of the family.
“Insp Gearoid Thompson was our beacon of light in our darkness. It was like we were lost at sea and he was our lighthouse to guide us home.
Insp Thompson stood on the embankment across from the house to give briefings, coordinate everything and liaise with us,” said Martin, who thanked Superintendent Ollie Kennedy, Insp Thompson, Sergeant Dave Callanan, Sergeant Dermot Cummins, Sergeant Bob Fitzsimons, Garda Catriona Dwyer, Garda Denis McCarthy, Garda Ollie O’Sullivan and Garda Billy McElligott.
The cheques were presented in Gerald Griffins GAA Club.
Insp Thompson thanked the McSweeneys for their generosity and described the search as “the most outstanding community effort I have ever seen”. Insp Thompson thanked everybody who played a part in helping to locate John Michael.
“It was astonishing the amount of people - it just goes to show you the community spirit in rural Ireland and the standing of the McSweeney family.
John Michael's month's mind Mass takes place this Thursday evening in Carrigkerry church.