21 year old killed in three-vehicle collision

TRAGIC ACCIDENT The late Tara Ryan.

Swinford community hit by third tragedy

21 year old killed in three vehicle collision

Michael Commins

THE Swinford and Midfield communities were plunged into sadness and grief at the weekend with the death of young woman Tara Ryan in a road traffic accident on Friday afternoon. This was the third major tragedy to hit the Swinford region in the past four years. The death of Garda Robert McCallion (29) in the course of duty in Letterkenny in May 2009 stunned the Swinford and wider community. Last year, Gary Price, a prominent and accomplished sportsman, died in a drowning accident in Laos at the age of 23.
Tara (21) resided with her family at Johnsfort, Swinford. The accident took place on the main N5 at Lislackagh between Swinford and Bohola. A lorry and a mini-bus were also involved in the collision, which took place at approximately 1pm.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was travelling towards Charlestown or Bohola between 12.45pm and 1.10pm on the day in question to contact them if they noticed any vehicle driving in a noteworthy fashion. They can be contacted at Swinford Garda Station on 094 9252990.
A student at Sligo IT, Tara had an abiding passion for sport. She played in defence for the Scoil Mhuire & Padraig team from Swinford that won an All -Ireland GAA title in 2008. She was a leading member of the Swinford Ladies GAA team and was due to be named as a member of the Team of the Decade at the club’s presentation and social night, scheduled to be held in the Park Hotel in Kiltimagh last Saturday. She also sported the red and green of Mayo at various grades.
Tara was a prominent athlete and a member of Swinford AC. She represented the area at national level in the Community Games and at various provincial and national championships, specialising in the 100m and 200m as well as the long jump.
At weekends she helped out her mother, Fiona, who operates the popular coffee shop beside SuperValu in Castlebar, which also bore her name, ‘The Tara Café’. She had a lovely natural way with people and was a firm favourite wherever she went.
All day on Sunday, buses and cars ferried people to the family home at Johnsfort near Midfield, where they queued throughout the day to pay their respects and show their support for the family. Many of her medals and trophies from football and athletics were on display in the home, a poignant reminder of her numerous achievements on the sporting fields.
Among those who journeyed to the family home (and insisted on queuing like everyone else) was An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who often enjoys coffee in ‘The Tara Café’ in Castlebar on Saturday mornings. Other public representatives were also present.
St Joseph’s Church in Midfield was unable to accommodate the size of the attendance at the Mass yesterday (Monday) as many braved the elements on a cold and wet January day. It was almost as if nature itself was in tune with the mood of this latest tragedy to descend on the community.
Fr Dermot Meehan, assisted by Fr Peter Gallagher, celebrated the Mass. Colleagues from Swinford GAA and Sligo IT as well as Swinford AC and locals formed a major guard of honour. Many tears were shed as friends tried to come to terms with the loss of one so young.
Fr Meehan told the congregation that one thing stood out in all the photographs in the family home: Tara was always in the presence of people. “Togetherness and team spirit was a core value in her life. She loved mixing with people. The gathering here today reflects the impact she has had on so many and also the absolute sadness felt by her many friends at this very sad time.”
Tara is survived by her mom Fiona, and Padraig, sister Aisling and brother Calum, the wider family circle, neighbours and a legion of friends.