Anton McNulty
antonmcnulty@mayonews.ie
The death of Sandra and Rachel Herbert and the circumstances of their death caused shockwaves across the close knit Knockmore community.
Sandra Herbert (39) (nee Mangan) was a well-known and much respected figure in the Knockmore and wider north Mayo community and was involved in everyday aspects of community life.
She was married to James and he is left as a lone parent to Daryl (20), a former Mayo Minor GAA player, and Ryan (10). Sandra worked as an Executive Officer with the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Her death had a profound effect on her colleagues in the RSA and the organisation honoured her life and contribution to road safety by naming a new room in their Ballina office in her honour. The room was officially opened last February by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.
Speaking following the tragedy, RSA Chief Noel Brett paid tribute to Sandra, who he described as a ‘model public servant’.
“She was an exemplary public servant and was a model of what we need public servants to be in this country. If we had new staff and I was trying to show them what was required of a model public servant, I would point them in Sandra’s direction,” he said.
Knockmore councillor Seamus Weir said Sandra was a very active member of the community and was always pushing youth initiatives.
“When I would be out canvassing, Sandra would always be onto me looking for more youth facilities for the young people, particularly sporting facilities. She was a great lady and great for the community,” he said.
Rachel was a second year student in St Jospeh’s Secondary School in Foxford who, like her mother, was also very active in the community. She was described as a ‘really pleasant girl’ who was a credit to her parents.
“You’d always see her up at Knockmore football matches, she was an avid fan, especially with Daryl (brother) playing. She was big into the boxing with Knockmore Boxing Club too and was always so nice, a really pleasant girl. She was a credit to her parents,” said one Knockmore resident.
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