Sadness at death of Lena after Aldi car park accident
CASTLEBRIDGE MOURNS LOSS OF POPULAR RESIDENT
A COMMUNITY is mourning the loss of one of its oldest residents with the death of 91 years old Kathleen (Lena) Murphy, from Castlebridge, following a traffic accident in the car park at Aldi on Trinity Street.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to last Monday’s accident in which Lena’s car collided with a tree in the public car park during a shopping trip to Aldi. Paramedics were called to the scene following the single-vehicle collision which is believed to have occurred when Mrs. Murphy became unwell at the wheel and lost control of the car.
The popular Castlebridge lady, who was on her own in the car, was taken by ambulance to Wexford General Hospital. Tragically, the much-loved grandmother passed away on Tuesday.
THE community of Castlebridge is mourning the loss of one of its oldest residents with the death in tragic circumstances of 91 years old Kathleen (Lena) Murphy following a traffic accident in the car park of the Trinity Street branch of Aldi supermarket.
Investigating gardai are appealing for witnesses to the accident which happened on Monday afternoon of last week when the car driven by the elderly Wexford woman collided with a tree in the public car park at approximately 2 p.m. during a shopping trip to Aldi.
Gardai and paramedics were called to the scene following the single-vehicle collision which is believed to have occurred when Mrs. Murphy became unwell at the wheel and lost control of the car.
The popular Castlebridge woman who was on her own in the car, was seriously injured in the accident and was brought by ambulance to Wexford General Hospital where she tragically passed away on Tuesday. The news of her death was greeted with shock and sadness in Castlebridge where she was a well-known and muchloved member of the local community.
Lena (nee Devereux) is survived by her sonin-law Ian, her two grandsons and her extended family and many friends.
She was predeceased many years ago by her husband Matty and by their beloved daughter Concepta (Connie) Harpur in 2011 following an illness. Connie was a community activist in Castlebridge, involved in many local projects. She was a co-founder of the Community Garden which features a section dedicated to her memory.
Lena was also at the heart of the Castlebridge community and two years ago when an historic fountain was restored and re-instated in the village, she and local man Brian Murphy were jointly given the honour of unveiling it.
She and her husband Matty were known to many people from the time they ran a licensed premises known as Matty Murphy’s pub in the village.
Lena was active and in good health and spirits up to the time of the tragic accident which claimed her life and she always involved herself in events in the village including Castlebridge Day Centre activities. She won the prize for Best Dressed Grandmother at Castlebridge Show in August.
Lena reposed at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Selskar before the removal to St. Ibar’s Church in Castlebridge for funeral Mass on Thursday morning last. Burial took place in St. Ibar’s Cemetery, Castlebridge.
Aldi supermarket closed as a mark of respect on the day of the accident and re-opened the following morning.
The car park was temporarily sealed off as forensic collision investigators carried out an examination of the scene.
Appealing for witnesses to the collision, An Garda Síochána advised anyone with information to contact Wexford Garda station on 053 9165200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.