Shock in Claremorris at death of Thomas Connolly (7)

Shock in Claremorris at death of Thomas Connolly (7)


Michael Commins

THE communities of Claremorris and Mayo Abbey were deeply saddened by the news of the sudden death of Thomas Connolly (7) last week. Thomas, who was the only son of Ger and Loretta Connolly of Garrywadreen, Claremorris, took ill outside Longford while being taken by ambulance from Castlebar to Dublin. He was later pronounced dead at Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
Three days earlier, he attended the First Holy Communion ceremony in Claremorris Church where is oldest sister, Emily, was among the recipients of the sacrament.
Thomas, who was born with Spina Bifida, started school in St Anthony’s in Castlebar last September. He attended the school on Monday and Tuesday last week but was not feeling well towards the end of the school day on Tuesday.
A team of doctors travelled down from Temple Street Hospital on Wednesday to help prepare him for the ambulance trip to Dublin later that evening. He got a serious turn just beyond Longford and died a short time later.
The sad news was relayed to Ger and Loretta who were travelling by car to Dublin to be with him in Temple Street Hospital.
His uncle, Cllr Tom Connolly, said the family circle was deeply shocked by the sudden death of Thomas. “It all happened so fast. We were stunned when we heard the sad news. He had come on in leaps and bounds since he went to St Anthony’s school. He was making great progress. He had his 7th birthday on March 31 and he was in such good form at the First Holy Communion last week. It is a very sad time for all of us.”
There were poignant scenes at the funeral ceremonies on both days and many, visibly overcome with emotion, shed tears at the sight of young Thomas in the coffin in Gilligan’s Funeral Home and again at the Mass of the Angels in Claremorris Church. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Peter Gannon, PP, who was assisted by Fr Austin Fergus, PP, Mayo Abbey. Interment took place in St Colman’s Cemetery.
Thomas is survived by his heartbroken parents, Loretta (nee Derrig) and Ger, sisters Emily, Ava, Olivia and Grace, grandparents Hilda Connolly (Garrywadreen) and Seamus and Teresa Derrig (Barnagreggaun, Mayo Abbey), uncles, aunts, relatives, friends and neighbours.