Funeral has taken place of latest Donegal road traffic victim

The funeral took place on Sunday of Donegal's most recent road traffic victim, Michael Ward from Ballyshannon.

The pensioner, aged in his 70s, was killed when his tractor overturned outside Ballyshannon on Thursday morning last.

His funeral took place at St. Mary Church, Cashelard on Sunday.

Cllr Barry Sweeny said that it was a terrible tragedy that had fallen upon the local community especially, those of the farming community.

He knew some of the deceased's family who he said were well respected locally and that the tragedy was compounded by the fact that we had just entered the month of December when the tragedy occurred.

"It is the hardest thing to bear when someone loses their life so suddenly, in such a tragic way.

On behalf of the local community, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Ward family on their loss."

Another local told the paper that he remembered the deceased being involved in the local refuse collection business in the days before the advent of the big refuge company's coming to the area.

"I would see him around town and he was a socialiable man but who kept himself to himself."  

Michael was predeceased by his parents Jim and Maggie Ann and will be sadly missed by his brother PJ, nephews Tony and Gary and all his extended family and friends.

Meanwhile garda are continuing their investigations into the tragedy which occured on December 1, at Corlea at around 10.45am.

Gardai said: “Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make it available to Gardaí."