Funeral to take place of missing Geesala woman

Geesala woman’s body discovered on Mullet beach


Anton McNulty

The Funeral Mass of a 53-year-old Erris woman whose body was found after an extensive search of the area around where she lived will take place tomorrow afternoon.
Margaret Carolan of Doolough, Geesala was reported missing from her home last week and her body was discovered on Saturday morning following a search described ‘as the biggest ever undertaken in Mayo’.
The body of Ms Carolan, a single woman, was discovered on the shoreline of Barranagh island on the Mullet peninsula, across the bay from her home.
The massive search of the shoreline and lands around Doolough and Geesala began last Wednesday when Ms Carolan was reported missing, and involved all the emergency services and many local volunteers.
It was not known who she had been last seen by prior to being reported missing and farmers and landowners in the Doolough area are asked to check their lands and outhouses.
The search was led by the Garda SíochΡna in Belmullet and they were assisted by the local RNLI, Coast Guard, the Coast Guard helicopter and Mayo Civil Defence. The search also included the use of drones, dogs, boats and cameras to search the seabed. It continued until the body of Ms Carolan was discovered on Saturday afternoon.
Local Superintendent Tony Healy thanked all the community and the emergency services for helping in the search and praised the co-operation between all the different agencies.
The body of Ms Carolan was brought to Mayo General Hospital where a post mortem to determine the cause of death was carried out.
Ms Carolan is survived by her three brothers, Denis, Michael and Martin, sister, Carmel and extended family.
Her remains will repose at McDonnells Funeral Home, Belmullet this evening, (Tuesday) from 5pm until 8pm before arriving at the Church of St Colmcille, Geesala on Wednesday for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. The burial will proceed afterwards to Geesala Cemetery.