Knock visionary Keith Henderson dies in car crash

Keith Henderson dies in car crash


Michael Commins

ONE of the two men who claimed to witness apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Knock in recent months died in a road accident near Tarmonbarry, Co Roscommon in the early hours of last Wednesday morning. Dubliner Keith Henderson, who had moved from the city to reside in Tarmonbarry about a year ago, was on his way home from Mullingar Hospital after his wife Sharon gave birth to their first son some hours earlier.
News of the tragedy came as a great shock to the many people who had seen Keith and his friend Joe Coleman in Knock over the last few months. Thousands were present for two of their visits. He was in his early 30s and was employed as a chef in Gleeson’s Townhouse Restaurant in Roscommon town.
A friend of both men, who described them as the “Knock seers”, said the news of Keith’s death in the car accident had devastated Joe Coleman. “He has been in constant floods of tears since.
Joe and Keith had their apparition on the 10th Jan with a small crowd present in the apparition chapel. That was the last time both of them were together for an apparition in Knock.”
Roscommon priest Fr Eamon O’Connor said: “Keith’s faith was very important to him. We were all very shocked to hear of his death in this road accident. Our sympathies, prayers and support go out to them all at this very difficult and sad time.”
Poignantly, in the photo of the crashed car in last Thursday’s Irish Independent, a little robin stands guard on the fence post within inches of the car.