COMMUNITY DEVASTATED BY LOSS OF SYLVIE AND ANNE

THE winter sun cast long shadows in Clongeen on Saturday as brother and sister Sylester (Sylvie) and Anne Dempsey were laid to rest three days after the fatal accident on the N25 that claimed their lives.

Anne, the eldest daughter of Mylie and the late Ellen Dempsey, died aged 47 in the crash along with Sylvie, aged 44, who was well known to people across the community from his 20 years working at Wallace’s SuperValu in Wellingtonbridge.

A crowd of mourners gathered at St Aidan’s Church where parish priest Fr Colm Murphy spoke of how tragedy had visited the close knit community once again. He said the Clongeen community had been devastated by tragedy with the loss of two young lives.

Fr Murphy urged drivers to be extra careful on our roads.

Anne and Sylvie’s father Mylie and siblings Seamus, Noel, Martina and Pauline were seated together as gifts were brought to the altar, including a Liverpool jersey for Sylvie and make-up for Anne.

Noel spoke about his late brother, recalling his happy years spent worknig at Wallace’s.

He recalled a funny anecdote about when Sylvie brought Annette Doran’s Christmas shop out of the wrong car, and of how she returned home to find her boot empty, only to be later reunited with her groceries.

Martina said Anne and Sylvie were like ‘chalk and cheese’ and yet were inseparable. She spoke of her sister’s love of make-up and fashion and of how well Anne looked after herself and ate well.

Mourners heard of how popular Sylvie was through his interaction with customers at Wallace’s in Wellingtonbridge.

Noel said Sylvie thoroughly enjoyed his years at the supermarket, as it was a way for him to get out and meet people. He said Sylvie was saddened to have to stop working at the supermarket late last year after he became ill.

Mourners were moved to tears while the tributes were being paid as the loss of two quiet and good natured members of the Clongeen community hit home.

Sylvie was a devoted Liverpool fan and the moving strains of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ could be heard throughout the village as his remains were brought to the New Cemetery where both he and Anne were laid to their eternal rest.