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Belfast Telegraph
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Community comes together after ‘much-loved' mum dies five days following tragic NI road crash
A young mother-of-two from north Antrim has passed away less than a week after a tragic road accident. Shelley Feeney, aged in her 30s, died on Saturday (April 19) as a result of the single-vehicle collision, which happened last Monday morning. Emergency services attended the scene in the Knockmore Road area of Ballymoney shortly after 10.30am and rushed the casualty to hospital, where she remained in the intensive care unit until her death. A PSNI spokesperson said a child also sustained minor injuries in the crash. Ms Feeney's father died the day after her crash. A death notice states that he died suddenly at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Ms Feeney's funeral will take place at Mosside Presbyterian Church with a Service of Thanksgiving at 11am on Wednesday. The church has also to date raised over £22,000 with an online fundraiser that Rev Andre Alves-Areias started for her family. Ms Feeney has been described as the 'dearly loved partner of Stephen, much loved mother of Jake and Sophie, beloved daughter of the late James and June, dear granddaughter of Elsie and Mary Jane, much loved sister of Bobby and a dear sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, niece, aunt, cousin and friend'. The notice said her family would like to invite those attending the service to wear bright colours. News Catchup - Monday 21st April Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph on Monday, Rev Andre Alves-Areias said: 'My heart goes out to Stephen and the children, and to Bobby and the wider family... and of course to her friends and colleagues. 'I was touched to see the community come together last week and I know they'll continue to come together for the family over the days, weeks, months and years that come.' 'The thing that keeps me going in times like this is the hope of the Easter story that we've just remembered. 'The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the one thing I can hold on to, because it reminds me that if Jesus rose from the dead, and he promises that those who believe will follow him, then I'm going to cling to that promise with everything I've got. 'So my prayer is that the family, friends and loved ones of Shelley will do the same and commit their fears, their grief, their hurt and their whole lives into Jesus's loving care — not just to get them through this difficult time, but to get them through every difficult time that comes after.' The church held a prayer vigil for Ms Feeney last week, while she was fighting for her life in hospital. Rev Alves-Areias said then that Ms Feeney was 'a much-loved and big part of the Mosside community' and was well known in the area. 'The community are really feeling the weight of what has happened but they are rallying round in an amazing way to help support the family,' he explained. 'Even in this time of tragedy, it was heart-warming to see the community come together for Shelley and her family in a time of prayer. 'When I started the meeting, almost every seat was taken, with many people standing.' TUV leader Jim Allister MP paid tribute to Ms Feeney, saying: 'Every death is keenly felt by the loved ones impacted. 'However, when the passing is so sudden and the result of a tragic accident, it is felt all the more keenly. 'I know there will be people over a wide area who will be upholding them in prayer at this time.' TUV's vice-chairman, Councillor Allister Kyle, added: 'I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Shelly Feeney following a tragic accident last week. 'I know her partner well as a result of his involvement with Coleraine Football Club. 'The esteem in which the family is held is demonstrated by the fact that a GoFundMe [fundraiser] set up in the wake of the accident has already raised in excess of £20,000.'
Irish Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tributes flow to 'much loved' mother and classroom assistant after tragic death
A close-knit community in Co Antrim is mourning the heartbreaking loss of a young mother who tragically passed away at the weekend following a serious accident. Shelly Feeney, who was aged in her 30s and from Ballymoney, had been in a critical condition in hospital following a single-vehicle crash on Monday, April 14. Emergency services were called to the Knockmore Road area of Ballymoney at around 10.29am last Monday. Ms Feeney was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast by the charity Air Ambulance, reports Belfast Live. Despite the best efforts of medical staff in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, the mum-of-two died as a result of her injuries on Saturday, 19 April. The news of her passing has sent shockwaves through Mosside and the wider north Antrim area, where she was known and loved by many. Mosside Presbyterian Church has launched a fundraiser in aid of the family to help cover travel expenses to and from hospital, parking costs, potential loss of income and any unforeseen costs. It has already raised more than £22,000 (approximately €25,700). In a further blow to the Feeney family, her father, James, passed away on Tuesday, 15 April, the day after his daughter's accident. His funeral took place on Friday. In her funeral notice, Miss Feeney is remembered as the dearly-loved partner of Stephen; much-loved mother of Jake and Sophie; beloved daughter of the late James and June; dear granddaughter of Elsie and Mary Jane; much-loved sister of Bobby and a dear sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, niece, aunt, cousin and friend. In a statement, Bushvalley Primary School in Ballymoney, where Miss Feeney worked as a classroom assistant, said: "It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Miss Shelley Feeney. Shelley was not only a highly esteemed and valued classroom assistant, but she was also a friend and a very much-loved member of the Bushvalley school family and community. "We pass on our sincere sympathies to Stephen, Jake and Sophie and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family circle at this very difficult time." Ms Feeney's funeral will leave from her home on Wednesday at 10.30am to Mosside Presbyterian Church for a Service of Thanksgiving at 11am followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining graveyard. Shelley's family would like to invite those attending the funeral to wear bright colours. House private, with the exception of 3pm - 6pm on Tuesday, when callers are welcome. Donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, to Air Ambulance N.I. c/o DJM Robinson and Son, 121 Culcrum Rd., Cloughmills, BT44 9DT.
