Ballinrobe plunged into ‘sorrow and sadness’ as funeral details announced for Dr Martin Finnerty

A doctor who died in a road accident in Ballinrobe is to be laid to rest on Tuesday. 

Tributes have been paid to Dr Martin Finnerty, who ran a GP practice in the town for many years and was well-regarded in the community. 

Flowers have been laid outside the front door of his practice in Cornmarket since his passing on Thursday after being struck by a vehicle while walking near Church Lane. 

Speaking on Midwest Radio this afternoon, local county councillor Damien Ryan said his passing had been greeted with ‘a complete air of disbelief’ in Ballinrobe

“It has plunged the town into sorrow and sadness,” said Cllr Ryan, describing him as ‘a larger than life character’.

“He was more than a GP. He was a person of the people as well. It has brought an unbelievable cloud of grief and sorrow over our town and complete disbelief that this could happen in our town.”

A native of Athenry, Dr Finnerty had lived in Ballinrobe for almost 40 years. His children, Peter, Síoda and Sibéal, all studied medicine after leaving school.

Ballinrobe GAA Club have been among those paying tribute to Dr Finnerty.

“Dr Finnerty’s passing cast a pall of gloom over Ballinrobe and further afield. As a GP, he was caring, gentle and warm, and he built up strong friendships with many people in Ballinrobe,” the club stated on social media. 

Dr Martin Finnerty will be reposing at Cummins Funeral Home, Ballinrobe (F31 EP63) on Monday, December 16 from 4 pm until 8 pm with private removal to his home afterwards.

His Funeral Mass takes place on Tuesday at 11.30 am in St, Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe (F31 YA29) before proceeding to the new cemetery, Ballinrobe.

He is survived by his wife Paula, son Peter and daughters Sibéal and Síoda, his brother, Dr Michael Finnerty (Tralee) and his wife, Bernie, his sister Sheila Flanagan (Mullingar) and her husband, Mick and Paula’s sisters and brothers, Anne, Karen Liam Vincent and Noel, his nieces and nephews, Ciara, Matt, Alisha, Gavin and Éala and all of the extended Finnerty and Walsh families.

May he rest in peace.