New thinking on Claremorris big-freeze death

Claremorris man may have lain alone in freezing conditions for just a few hours


Michael Commins

IT is now thought that the 78-year-old man found dead on the footpath outside his home at Lui na Gréine, Claremorris last Thursday morning did not die from exposure to the cold and frosty weather. Reports in the national media that he had fallen and died from the cold while unable to access his home appear wide of the mark.
Tom Connell, formerly from Murneen, Claremorris, resided for many years in England, mainly in Plymouth, from where he worked on the railways. A towering man of immense strength, he laid railway lines all over the UK.
He moved back to Ireland some years ago and settled in Claremorris, first at The Lawn and later in Lui na Gréine. At his ‘local’ in O’Brien’s Bar, he often regaled customers with stories of his days on the railway network and the exploits of hardy men whose daring deeds became the stuff of folklore among their fellow colleagues.
Tom, who was diagnosed with throat cancer back in 2000, continued to live a full and active life and shared time with friends in O’Brien’s Bar on Wednesday night, prior to getting a taxi home around 10pm.
He was found lying dead on the footpath beside his home by a local man the following morning. Gardai and medical personnel, as well as Fr Peter Gannon, were immediately called to the scene. It was thought at first that Mr Connell had fallen on the ice covered path and had probably died from hypothermia during the night.
However, the general opinion now is that he stayed in his home on Wednesday night and took a fall sometime early on Thursday morning.
After Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Peter Gannon on Saturday, interment took place in St Colman’s Cemetery. There was a very large turnout at the requiem services.
Tom, who was predeceased by his wife Barbara in recent years, is survived by his family Kevin, Katie and Paul, all living in England, brothers Michael and Jimmy and sister Margaret, relatives, neighbours and friends.