Westport man (28) killed in Australia motorbike accident

Westport left reeling by death of Keith Rigney in Australia


Neill O’Neill

THE community of Westport woke up yesterday (Monday), numbed by the news that tragedy had again visited a local family, in the untimely death of 28-year-old Keith Rigney (pictured), thousands of miles away in Australia.
Keith, who lived and worked in Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, was killed on Sunday morning, when his motorbike was involved in a road traffic accident in what has been described as a rural area on the outskirts of the city.
It is believed Keith was travelling to work shortly after 6am on Monday (approx 9.30pm on Sunday night Irish time) when the accident occurred. It is understood to have involved another vehicle - a ‘pick up’ type jeep - which is known in Australia as a ‘ute’. Keith was rushed from the scene by ambulance but was pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Darwin Hospital. His family were informed of the accident late on Sunday night.
Tragically, the news comes just two weeks shy of the twelfth anniversary of the death of Keith’s older brother Vinny, who also died as the result of a motorbike accident, which occurred on Reek Sunday 2001 near Erriff, between Westport and Leenane. Vinny was 17 years of age at the time of his death on July 29, 2001. Keith would have turned 29 on October 13 this year.
At the family home at Sandyhill yesterday, a steady stream of callers came to sympathise with the Rigney family, who were trying to come to terms with the death of another son, and organise repatriating Keith’s body to Ireland. Visitors recalled the twinkle of mischief that was always in his eyes, and his love for his friends and family, and for having fun - something he did in abundance throughout his 27 years. Keith was also a talented exponent of the traditional Irish arts in his youth, playing a variety of musical instruments and being an accomplished set-dancer.
Having been educated locally, Keith spent various periods working in the construction industry in his native Westport, in Dublin and in Galway, while also undertaking some studies in Sligo IT.
Keith went to Australia on March 18, 2012, visiting Perth initially before shortly afterwards settling in Darwin. He returned at Christmas last year to see his family and in particular his three-year-old son Noah, whom he cherished. Keith loved life in Australia but his heart was at home and he missed his son and was planning to move back to Westport when his Australian visa expired in 2014, though he was actively seeking work here, that might allow him to come home sooner than next spring.
In a tragic twist of irony, both Keith and Alan Durkan from Lousiburgh, whose families are life long friends, had left Ireland for Australia (separately) in March 2012. Both returned home last Christmas before setting out for Australia again earlier this year, and both have since lost their lives in road traffic accidents - Alan on March 2 this year in South Australia, and Keith yesterday  (Monday) in Darwin, the northernmost of the red continent’s major cities.
Keith Rigney is survived by his heartbroken parents Vincent and Bridie, sisters Thelma and Sandra, brother Colm, young son Noah, and a wide circle of family members, neighbours and friends.
Once a post-mortem examination has been completed and official requirements in Australia fulfilled, authorities will release Keith’s body for repatriation. Keith was living in Darwin with some friends, including some from the Westport area, who are liaising with the Rigney family and authorities in The Northern Territory.
Their presence in Darwin has been a major source of support to the Rigney family.
His funeral arrangements will be announced later. May he rest in peace.