Man dies after being struck by tar-spraying machine

SADLY MISSED?John McNicholas

Man dies after being struck by tar-spraying machine


Bohola stunned by tragic death of John McNicholas

Michael Commins

THE community around Bohola was left reeling as news came through last Tuesday of the tragic death of John McNicholas from Lismirrane. John (58), a long-time member of the outdoor staff of Mayo County Council, died after being struck by a tar spraying machine unit during operations on a narrow country road near Knockmore.
John, an overseer and supervisor with the Council, was directing operations at the time. It is understood he was walking close to the vehicle when the tragedy took place. The Council was carrying out tarring and other road repairs in the area. Stunned colleagues, overcome with shock and emotion, helped out at the scene, and emergency services raced to the area.
John McNicholas came from a well-known and highly respected family in the parish. His father John died back in 1978.
He married Ann McNicholas from Oldcastle, Meelick, and they raised a family of two sons and two daughters.
As a young man in his late 20s, he stood as a Fine Gael candidate in the Swinford Area Council Elections back in 1985. John also had a great love for the land and farming and was known far and wide throughout the rural fraternity.
He was closely associated with Moy Davitts GAA and his son Kieran was goalkeeper with the local team that featured on the Celebrity Banisteóir series on TG4 three years ago.
“We are all numbed by the news,” a neighbour told The Mayo News on Thursday. “John would be the first to land around if anyone had a problem. He was the finest neighbour you could ask for. They are such a decent family.
“You can see how highly thought of they are by the way so many volunteers turned out to guide and manage the traffic flow for the funeral. Everyone is rallying around them at this very sad time.”
Former Mayo goalie and county councillor, Eugene Lavin, said he had known John since they both attended Kiltimagh Vocational School back in the 1970s. “He was a gentleman of the highest order. He was a very good underage footballer and an outstanding young athlete. He had great stamina.
“John was a plasterer before he took up a job with Mayo County Council. He was a very conscientious person and did numerous kind deeds for so many people down through the years. He is a huge loss to his family and the wider community.”
On a lovely and gentle day in June with the cattle resting in the fields and nature showing its coat of many colours, it was hard to comprehend such sadness had descended on Lismirrane, a village where the name McNicholas has been anchored for generations.
Here beside the O’Dwyer Cheshire Home, many hundreds of people came with hearts full of sorrow, bowed down by the overwhelming sadness associated with the nature of the tragedy.
A constant flow of people called to the family home all through Thursday, and removal took place from his residence to Bohola Church on Friday morning.
Fr Stephen O’Mahony, PP, was the chief celebrant at the Mass, assisted by Fr Paddy Kilcoyne, Fr PJ Niland and Canon Michael Joyce. A capacity congregation was present as a community stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the McNicholas family during their time of deepest grief. 
Colleagues from Mayo County Council formed a large guard of honour before and after The Mass as a moving and poignant tribute to their departed friend and a man they all held in special regard.
John is survived by his wife, Ann; daughters, Claire and Julie; sons, John and Kieran; mother, Annie; brothers, Michael (Canada), Patsy (Bohola), Laurence (Scotland) and Frank (England); the wider family circle, neighbours and many friends.

The Health and Safety Authority and the Gardaí are conducting their own investigations into the tragedy as is normal in all cases of a similar nature.