Tragedy on our streets
38-YEAR-OLD FOUND DEAD AT GOREY CIVIC SQUARE
A TRAGIC discovery by staff at Gorey Shopping Centre last Thursday morning of the body of a 38-year-old woman in an isolated lane way between the back of the centre and Gorey Courthouse was met with deep shock and sadness.
Martina Balfe, pictured, a mother of four from Templescoby, Enniscorthy, was found at 7 a.m. Gardaí said that her death was not suspicious, there was no evidence of injury, and the cause of death would be determined by a post mortem which was later carried out at Waterford Regional Hospital.
The discovery was made in an area of Gorey Civic Square which does not see any passers by at night.
Cllr Joe Sullivan, cathaoirleach of Gorey Municipal District which has offices in the square, offered his condolences to the Balfe family on behalf of the people of Gorey town and district on their tragic loss.
THE death of 38-year-old Enniscorthy mother of four Martina Balfe at Gorey Civic Square overnight last Wednesday into Thursday morning has been greeted with deep shock and sadness in both Gorey and Enniscorthy.
‘I knew her well over the years,’ said Enniscorthy councillor John O’Rourke. ‘Her father Bill was an insurance collector for our family for years, and I know Bill and his wife Peggy very well.’
He described Martina as having an outgoing personality. ‘This is a tragedy for her, for her family, and for her own family,’ said the councillor. ‘My prayers and thoughts are with her family and her four children at this moment in time.’
Martina grew up in rural Templescoby, about a mile and a half outside Enniscorthy, attending Davidstown NS and Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy.
‘Her family were at the forefront and involved in Davidstown Courtnacuddy over the years,’ added Cllr O’Rourke. ‘Her parents are very decent people and she was their only child.’
‘This is another young life lost tragically for the people of Enniscorthy,’ he said.
His sympathies were echoed by the cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Cllr Keith Doyle. ‘I didn’t know her, but anyone I spoke to that knew her was very sad telling me about her and my sympathies go out to her family and all who knew her,’ he said.
‘It’s another family tragedy for Enniscorthy,’ added local councillor Johnny Mythen, expressing his condolences. ‘I knew her from around town, and this is a tragedy for the town, her friends, and immediate family.’
Ms Balfe’s body was discovered by staff at Gorey Shopping Centre at 7 a.m. last Thursday morning in an isolated lane way between the back of the centre and Gorey Courthouse.
Gardaí said that her death was not suspicious, there was no evidence of injury, and the cause of death would be determined by a post mortem which was later carried out at Waterford Regional Hospital.
The discovery was made in an area of Gorey Civic Square which does not see any passers by at night.
Cllr Joe Sullivan, cathaoirleach of Gorey Municipal District which has offices nearby in the square, offered his condolences to the Balfe family on behalf of the people of Gorey town and district on their tragic loss.
‘The circumstances are very sad, and we all as a society must be as vigilant as possible towards people who are finding life a bit more difficult and may find themselves in circumstances outside of their own control, he said.
Martina Balfe’s Funeral Mass was held on Saturday at Davidstown Parish Church, and she was laid to rest afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Beloved daughter of Bill and Peggy, and loving mother of Dylan, Josh, Bobby and Jamie, Martina will be sadly missed by her loving family, relatives and friends.
May she rest in peace.