Tributes paid as popular Mayo man who died after car entered water named locally
The death of well-known Clare Island ferry operator Charles O'Malley in an accident has been met with profound shock and sadness in his native Mayo.
Mr O'Malley (88) lost his life when his vehicle entered the water at Glen, on Clare Island, on Tuesday afternoon.
He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Mayo University Hospital, where a post mortem examination was due to take place.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses but are said to be treating the matter as a tragic accident.
The 88-year-old from Strake on Clare Island was the proprietor of O'Malley Ferries and through his business activities was among the best known personalities in his native island.
Paying tribute to Mr O'Malley, Councillor Chris Maxwell described him as 'a pillar of the Clare Island community'.
'Charles was salt of the earth, a gentleman,' he said.
'People are devastated by this news. He was just a lovely man who had a kind word for everyone he met.
'He was a man of the sea and I used to love to hear his wonderful stories. He was a great businessman and a hard worker all his life. He built up that business to what it is.
'He was a wonderful seaman and a tremendous storyteller. He was a great friend of our family and I always loved his company.
'He has a lovely family and he doted on them all. He loved his wife Pauline.
'He was active in his business until the end. He stepped back a little bit in the last few years but he was in good health.
'It's just so sad for his life to end in the way it did at his age.
'Everybody would have known Charles and his death is very shocking.'
Charles O'Malley
The News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, 7th of May
Among those to pay their respects was Fr Denis Carney of Ballinrobe.
'Sincere sympathy to Pauline and family on the sudden death of Charles,' he said.
'I have many happy memories of him bringing me to and from Inishturk.
'He was a great man to chat and tell a story. We also worked together as trustees of the water scheme.
'He served the priests of the parish very well over many years and I know he was delighted when he was presented with the Bene Merenti medal from the Pope for his years of service. May he rest in eternal peace.'
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Westport Garda Station on 098 50230, the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Watch: Little Blue Heroes graduate from Templemore
On Tuesday, thirty 'Little Blue Heroes' were conferred as honorary Gardaí by Assistant Commissioner Eileen Foster at a ceremony held in Templemore Garda College. Graduate Erin O'Sullivan from Tralee spoke about her excitement at the event and her dedication to help other people. The children participated in the various Garda roles including armed support, working with the mounted unit, training with the public order unit, and seeing the dogs in action, as well as parading with the current trainees who will graduate on Friday. Little Blue Heroes Foundation, established in 2017, is a not-for-profit registered charity voluntarily led by Garda members, retired Garda members and civic minded people from communities.
Sunday World
11-08-2025
- Sunday World
Locals appalled as ‘gawpers' interfere as fire fighters battle Cork housing estate inferno
Two homes were gutted in the blaze in Carrigaline early on Sunday Residents of a Cork housing estate admitted they were shocked at the behaviour of members of the public who photographed and video-recorded a major fire which destroyed several local homes - interfering with the work of the emergency services as they flocked to stare at the blaze. Two homes were gutted in the blaze in Carrigaline early on Sunday. The fire raged out of control before 30 firefighters eventually managed to extinguish it. The fire extended to an oil storage tank at Upper Kilmoney and, at one point, was being fought by fire brigade units from Carrigaline, Crosshaven and Midleton - with units from Cork city on standby. Water tenders also had to be placed on standby. News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2025 Locals are now planning to launch a GoFundMe appeal to help the families effectively left homeless by the inferno. However, residents also admitted they were appalled by the behaviour of some members of the public. When word of the fire spread, some people raced to the estate to record the incident on video for social media posts. Some families came to watch firefighters battling the blaze - and even brought their children. Residents admit they were appalled by what she saw, with one local describing the behaviour as 'appalling' on a popular community Facebook group. It is understood both families lost most of their possessions in the fire. The blaze erupted early on Sunday near a garage at the estate. An oil tank then apparently caught fire and this resulted in the blaze quickly spreading to the rear of two local homes. Both were effectively gutted in the blaze. Miraculously, no one was injured as all the properties were successfully evacuated and residents took shelter in local homes while firefighters battled the inferno. Gardaí defied the heat of the fire and wind conditions to bring it under control. Chief Fire Officer Chirs Gledhill said fighting the blaze was made very challenging because of wind gusts. Gardaí are now investigating the precise cause of the fire but it is believed to have been accidental.
Irish Independent
07-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Funeral details announced for Roscommon woman who died while swimming in Donegal
Today at 05:14 The funeral of a Roscommon woman who died after getting into difficulty while swimming in County Donegal will be held later this week. Máire Murray, formerly of Harold's Cross, Dublin and Croghan Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Roscommon, had been swimming at Glencolmcille, Co Donegal on Friday, August 1, when she got into difficulty in the water. Gardaí were alerted to the incident shortly after 7pm. Ms Murray, who was in her 50s, was airlifted to Sligo University Hospital where she was pronounced deceased a short time later. It is believed Ms Murray was in Glencolmcille attending Oideas Gael, the Irish language college, when the incident occurred. Ms Murray's funeral mass will take place on Friday, August 8, 2025 in Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Harold's Cross Dublin at 12 noon followed by cremation at Mount Jerome crematorium. The family has requested family flowers only and donations if desired to the RNLI. Ms Murray has been remembered as 'the loveliest person' with a 'ready smile and dry wit'. Former President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin were among those who paid tribute to Ms Murray. "We send our deepest condolences to all Maire's family on her very sad passing. "She was a sister student at Oideas Gael and so happy to be there as were we all until that fateful Friday when the sea took her so cruelly as she took her last swim of the week. "It could so easily have been any one of us for the beach is so beautiful and so tempting despite its occasional dangers. "The fantastic rescue teams by air, sea and land along with the comforting help of the local community and staff at Oideas Gael and the folk village will stay long in the memory of all who were there. "And Máire will be remembered with great fondness and grief too. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.' Ms Murray is pre-deceased by her parents Joe and Nancy and sister-in-law Sylvia. Ms Murray is survived by her sister Catherine [Kate] (Dublin), brothers Tomás (USA) and Kevin (Cork), sister-in-law Allie, nephew Tom, nieces Anna, Alice and Lily, her very wide circle of friends, extended family, neighbours and colleagues at St Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire. Related topics Emma Ryan
