'Selfless' life of retired nurse Keyna Barrett recalled at funeral Mass

Retired nurse Keyna Barrett, who died following a road traffic collision in Falcarragh on Tuesday, was recalled as someone who was selfless.

Ms Barrett, who was aged in her 80s, died after the single-vehicle collision on teh N56 Ballina Road.

Ms Barrett was laid to rest in Athenry on Saturday after her Funeral Mass the previous day in Falcarragh.

Parish Priest Fr John Boyce told mourners at Teach Phobail Naomh Fionán of Ms Barrett's caring nature.

One story recalled how she delayed going to a dinner dance after receiving an urgent call from a pregnant woman who was about to give birth.

In her dress, Ms Barrett went to deliver the baby.

"A baby was welcomed into the world by a lady in a beautiful dress,” Fr Boyce said.

“It just goes to show the kind of person she was. When she was called, she went immediately.

“No matter what kind of plan she had for herself and nothing was too much trouble for her, ever.”

The mother-of-five was born in Galway and grew up in Salthill. She trained in Edinburgh and she became the public health nurse in Falcarragh – a role she filled until her retirement in 1999.

She was a valued memebr of the Banna Ceoil Cloich Cheann Fhaola - including a spell as the chairperson - whose members past and present formed a guard of honour at the Church.

She also enjoyed sea swimming and playing cards, while she volunteered to care for the elderly.

She was laid to rest in Athenry graveyard on Saturday.

Predeceased by her husband, Jim Barrett, her brothers Peadar and Martin and sisters Olive and Marie, Ms Barrett, late of Moyra Glebe, Falcarragh is survived by sons John and Declan, daughters Mairead, Sinead and Paula, daughters-in-law Vicky and Marianne, son-in-law Damien, nine grandchildren, brother John, sister-in-law Mary and a large circle of family and friends.

Gardai have appealed for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

Ms Barrett, the driver and sole occupant of the car involved, was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries, but was pronounced deceased a short time later.

The road was closed for several hours to allow Forensic Collision Investigators conduct an examination of the scene.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Falcarragh area between 1:15pm and 1:45pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milford Garda station on 074 9153060, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”