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Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Clare Island community in shock after death of local ferry operator Charles O'Malley (88) after car enters water
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. ADVERTISEMENT '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.' 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.
The Irish Sun
07-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Man, 80s, dies after car enters water on small Irish island as garda appeal issued after broad daylight crash
A MAN aged in his 80s has died after his car crashed and entered the water in Co Mayo yesterday afternoon. Gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene of the single-vehicle crash in Glen on Clare Island at around 1pm yesterday. Advertisement 1 The collision took place on Clare Island in Co Mayo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo The man, who was the driver and only person in the car, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the incident. His body was removed from the scene to Mayo University Hospital where a post mortem examination is due to take place. A Forensic Collision Investigator carried out an examination of the scene. In a statement this morning, gardai urged anyone who may have any information that could assist in their investigation to come forward. Advertisement READ MORE IRISH NEWS A garda spokesperson said: "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." Clare Island, which is just south of Achill Island, has a small population of around 138 people, according to a census from three years ago. It is however, the largest of the Mayo offshore islands at 8km long and 5km wide. The island can be reached by a passenger only ferry from Roonagh Pier in Co Mayo. Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Exclusive Separately, a man aged in 50s Emergency services and gardai rushed to the scene at around 8pm but the man was sadly pronounced dead before he could be transferred to hospital. The road was closed for a short time as a technical examination of the scene was carried out by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. BANK HOLIDAY TRAGEDY Meanwhile, on Sunday, a 13-year-old girl sadly passed away after being involved in a crash while competing in a Autograss Racing Club event. Advertisement was driving a hatchback car in a junior competition at a private car racing track in Castletown Kennigh near Enniskean in west Cork when the . Lauren, who was a first year student at McEgan College in Macroom, was killed instantly and was pronounced dead at the scene. She was one of four competitors in the junior event, which was held in conjunction with a big number of races on a sunny afternoon. The post mortem examination by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster was completed yesterday and she was taken from the by undertakers, who will return her home to her family. Advertisement Some 57 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions in Ireland so far this year. This is compared to a figure of 66 during the same period last year.
