Cyclist’s mourning family say thanks to Westport

Family of cyclist who died suddenly in Westport express thanks to community


Neill O’Neill

THE family and friends of a man who suddenly took ill and died while cycling through Westport last week, have expressed their ‘heartfelt gratitude’ to local people, doctors and emergency services who helped them on Thursday last, June 26.
Trim Cycling Club were undertaking a Mizen to Malin cycle challenge when Thomas Farrelly fell from his bike after taking ill on the N5 Westport to Castlebar Road near the entrance to Knockranny.
A club spokesman told The Mayo News that 16 cyclists, and two support crew with two vehicles, left Mizen Head in West Cork on Tuesday morning and cycled to Tralee in Co Kerry that day. On Wednesday they cycled from Tralee to Galway. Thomas Farrelly and one other cyclist from Trim joined the group in Galway on Wednesday night and he started his leg of the cycle on Thursday morning.
“We cycled in two groups from Galway and went through Moycullen, Oughterard, Maam Cross, and on to Leenane, where we all stopped for lunch,” said a spokesperson for the group.
“When we started off after lunch Thomas was in great spirits, and we stopped again on the way into Westport at a filling station and Thomas said he never felt better.
“As the group passed through Westport and onto the N5 heading towards Castlebar, Thomas fell suddenly from his bike. The response of all the people at the scene was tremendous. We would really like to thank all the people who came to our assistance, there were two defibrillators brought to us and a doctor that was passing stopped, as well as a nurse and two guys who endlessly assisted with the recussitation.”
Mr Farrelly was not married and his family members, and others from Trim Cycling Club, have asked that their thanks be conveyed to all the those who helped in any way at the scene.
“The ambulance crew and the staff and doctors and nurses at Mayo General Hospital, as well as the lady at the end of the phone on the 999 call were all so professional and caring,” said the spokesperson.
“We would also like to thank Garda John McNamara for all the help and assistance and his support for us at the time and since. We were back at the scene on Saturday with Thomas’s brother Ronan where we placed a bouquet of flowers. We also want to thank the priest who also arrived at the scene and anointed Thomas with the last rites. Thomas Farrelly was only 41 and was a very decent hard working man, and very involved in our local community. He spent all his life working in the farming industry and died doing something he loved in one of the nicest places in Ireland.”
Thomas will be sadly missed by his mother Enda, brothers Ian and Ronan, and a very large circle of friends. May he rest in peace.