Family man Liam spent his life helping animals
LIAM SWEETMAN, who passed away recently aged 87, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, dedicating his life to his family and his profession as a Veterinary Surgeon.
Neighbours and friends lined the road from Ballymackessy, Chapel Lane, up the Spout Road and into the village of Clonroche out of respect for an outstanding vet, who was an easy-going, obliging and sharp witted individual.
Liam sadly passed away on May 30 at Wexford General Hospital.
He lived all his life in Ballymackessy, and his early education was in Clonroche NS, CBS Enniscorthy and St Peters College.
Liam studied Veterinary Medicine in Trinity College and qualified in December 1958. He returned to Ballymackessy, Clonroche, and joined his father’s practice and continued to serve the needs of the local and wider community for 60 years.
In that time, him helped many an animal; be it at 2 o’clock in the day or night, he never failed to help out when needed. His work brought him all over the county; Lambstown and Carrick on Bannow being his two favourite spots having spent many occasions there with family growing up.
He had a great passion for greyhounds, and he was very well-known throughout Ireland as a successful breeder and trainer of greyhounds. The sport he loved saw him travel the country with his late sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and John Sheehan.
He had an interest in current affairs and always kept up to date with the news and would often be seen parked up around the parish reading the Irish Independent.
In his younger years, he was the goalkeeper for the Trinity College football team and the Cloughbawn football team and was very proud when his grandchildren started to play with Cloughbawn hurling and camogie club.
One of his fondest memories was going to the 1996 All Ireland Hurling final in Croke Park with Liam Walsh, a friend and colleague. He often recalled that when the final whistle was blown he turned and hugged a random person in the crowd.
Deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Mary, to his sons, Liam Jnr in Ballymackessy and Oliver in London, his daughter Paula in Norway, his brother Laurence and sister-in-law Julia in Cherryorchard, his grandchildren, nephews and niece and his many friends.