Victim of Carrigart collision was a ‘true gentleman’, funeral hears

Downings man Danny Gallagher, who died in a road traffic collision in Carrigart at the weekend, was a “true gentleman”, his funeral has been told.

The 73-year-old from The Glebe, Downings died when the van he was driving was involved in a single-vehicle collision on the R245 at approximately 1pm on Saturday.

The large crowd of mourners at the Church of St John the Baptist in Carrigart on Wednesday morning heard that the whole community has been deeply saddened by his sudden death.

Carrigart parish priest Fr Charlie Byrne told the funeral Mass how the father of six had lost his father at a young age as well as his twin brother Patrick who died at just three months old. He had also lost his brother John recently.

Mr Gallagher attended school in Mevagh and left to work in the building trade at 13. He married his wife Marian in 1973 and they went on to have six children as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Fr Byrne said Mr Gallagher “provided very well for his family as a husband, as a father, as a grandfather and as a great-grandfather”.

Working at the Fleets Inn and a local caravan park, “he worked hard all his life and he had hands for that work”.He enjoyed playing golf, was  “a keen competitor” and “was great company on the links”.

“He always had a smile on his face, had a great sense of humour” and “was a true gentleman,” Fr Byrne said. Mr Gallagher is survived by his wife Marian, daughters Roisin and Sharon, sons Seamus, Martin, Paul and Danny, brothers Ned and Micheal, sisters AnneMarie and Cait and a large circle of family and friends.

Meanwhile, gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.A Garda spokesperson said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 12.10pm and 1.10pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milford garda station on (074) 915 3060, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.”