Traffic halts one last time for 'salt of the earth' lollipop man Anthony Gallagher

Traffic in Letterkenny paused for Anthony Gallagher one final time on Thursday morning. 

The beloved lollipop man lost his life in a tragic road traffic collision in Letterkenny in the early hours of St Patrick’s Day.

He died as a result of injuries sustained after he and his brother Martin were struck by a car at Lower Main Street. Martin Gallagher remains under medical care in Galway and watched the funeral from his hospital bed.

Anthony Gallagher, who was in his 60s, was a permanent fixture on weekdays at the bottom of the Convent Road each morning as children made their way to local schools.

“Every weekday morning, this was his habit: He rose to do his bit for the people of Letterkenny,” Fr Anthony Hartnett told mourners at St Eunan’s Cathedral. 

Four school crossing guards, holding their lollipop signs, flanked the coffin as it was brought into the cathedral.

On Sentry Hill Road, on the approach to St Eunan’s Cathedral, schoolchildren from Scoil Cholmcille formed a solemn guard of honour. Pupils from St Eunan’s College and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal did likewise as Anthony’s remains were brought from the Eternal Light Chapel of Rest.

Many others who knew him from his daily duty turned out to pay a final farewell, including other employees from Donegal County Council and local Councillor Ciaran Brogan. 

Anthony’s lollipop sign poignantly rested alongside the coffin during the funeral Mass. An Arsenal jersey, representing his love of sport and a Letterkenny heritage magazine, reflecting his pride in being a man from Letterkenny, were also brought forward to the altar.

Anthony Gallagher's funeral cortege passes the spot where Monday's collision occurred. (North West Newspix)

“Others were just happy to see Anthony coming,” Fr Hartnett said. “His virtue goes deeper still, known only to a select few, but the man we bury today devoted much of his time, energy and his pockets to his family, especially to his late mother Brigid - whose passing Anthony never forgot - and his late aunt Rosaleen.

“His care for his family and his friends is both a precious memory now and a pledge of his love. In God, this does not come to an end. Love is stronger than death and the souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God.”

The late Anthony Gallagher was recalled as being “the salt of the earth” and a man who “made room in his heart for others”.

Prayers were also offered for Martin Gallagher’s recovery from serious injuries sustained in the incident.

Fr Hartnett, who was joined by Fr Kizito Kalemeera for the funeral Mass, said: “Martin, in as much as you are able, I invite you to join us in prayer. Know of our prayers for you and our solidarity for you in this hour of anguish.”

Schoolchildren from Scoil Cholmcille form a guard of honour. (North West Newspix)

Anthony Gallagher was killed less than 100 yards from his home on Charlie Daly Terrace after being struck by a vehicle, a taxi, shortly before 3am on March 17.

The men were taken to Letterkenny University Hospital, where Anthony subsequently died from his injuries, while Martin was airlifted to Galway University Hospital.

Letterkenny’s Patrick’s Day parade was cancelled as a mark of respect while a large crowd attended a vigil in Letterkenny on Monday evening.

Fr Hartnett, on behalf of the bereaved family, thanked those who had “extended the hand of friendship” since the tragedy and prayed for the emergency services, gardai and hospital staff who assisted. 

Anthony Gallagher was laid to rest in Conwal Cemetery, the funeral cortege passing the spot where the collision occurred and also passing his home on its way to the graveyard. 

The driver of the car, a male in his late teens, was arrested at the scene The matter has been referred to GSOC due to an earlier interaction between An Garda Síochána and the driver of this vehicle.

The arrested male has since been released without charge. Files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and Garda Youth Diversion Bureau. 

Gardaí have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses. They are asking anyone with dash-cam footage or who was in the area between 2:30 am and 3:30 am on March 17 to come forward."