Road accident victim laid to rest

Victim of road accident laid to rest on Arranmore

Michael Commins

A young man who returned from America in recent months to settle in Kiltimagh lost his life in a tragic accident near the town last Thursday evening. The accident took place at Cloonfallagh on the main Kiltimagh to Kilkelly road around 6.45pm when the van he was driving collided with another van.
Seamus Boyle (37) of Cultrasna, Kiltimagh, was pronounced dead at the scene. His four year-old son James who was in the car suffered minor injuries and was taken to Mayo General Hospital along with the two occupants of the other van. Their injuries were not serious.
News of the tragedy was received with much sadness and shock in Kiltimagh and on Arranmore island off the coast off Donegal where Seamus was born and raised. He married Caroline Langan from Kiltimagh seven years ago and they had resided in America until they decided to relocate back to Mayo some months ago. Seamus got a job as a part-time postman and was quickly settling into life in the Kiltimagh area.
Fr Paddy Kilcoyne, PP, who married the couple in Kiltimagh Church in 2001, said all who knew them were numbed by the news. “Seamus was a fine gentleman. He had a great way about him and was very well liked around Kiltimagh. It’s an awful tragedy for Caroline and the Boyle and Langan families. The hearts of all go out to them in these most difficult of times.”
In keeping with tradition, his body was taken back to Arranmore island where a wake was held in the family home on Friday and Saturday night before removal took place from Arranmore to Kiltimagh on Sunday evening. Burial was in Kilkinure cemetery following Requiem Mass yesterday (Monday).
Hundreds of mourners attended the Mass and burial.