ARMY RETURN TO VISIT MAURA, 100
Graham Merrigan, Shauna Porter, Joanne Merrigan and Katrina Merrigan at Rathnew GAA Club’s dinner dance on Friday night. MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 40
100-YEAR-OLD Maura Doyle welcomed some surprise guests on her birthday – members of the Defence Forces who had helped to clear her Roundwood home of snow the previous day.
Her daughter Maureen said: ‘They were around her home on Tuesday digging out the front area of the house. She mentioned to them that her birthday was the following day but she never expected them to call back around.
‘She got a real surprise but was really delighted. They were so kind and we would just like to thank them so much.’
100-YEAR-OLD birthday girl Maura Doyle had some surprise guests on her big day – members of the Defence Forces who had helped to clear her Roundwood home from snow the day before.
Roundwood was one of the worst hit parts of the country with Storm Emma and the Beast from the East combining to leave the area with snow drifts over ten feet high in places. Conditions became so extreme that members of the Defence Forces were sent out to the village to help with the clean-up.
Members of the 7th Infantry Battalion were clearing out snow from Maura’s driveway on Tuesday when they decided to pop in and have a word with her. Having learnt that her 100th birthday was taking place the following day, they took extra care to clear all her garden and driveway so there was somewhere for visitors to park while passing on their congratulations.
However, on Wednesday, Maura had a few surprise callers to her door. LT Richard O’Hagan, Cpl Wayne Casey, Pte Mick McCabe, Pte Gareth Callaghan and Pte Paul Keane were all present and correct to pass on their birthday greetings.
Her daughter, Maureen explained: ‘It completely made mum’s day. They were around her home on Tuesday digging out the front area of the house.
‘She mentioned to them that her birthday was the following day but she never expected them to call back around. She got a real surprise but was really delighted.
‘They were so kind and we would just like to thank them so much. They had a cake and a card for her and stayed for a cup of tea and a chat. They were absolutely wonderful and so good,’ said Maureen.
The following day (Thursday), Maura received a cheque and a congratulatory letter from President Michael D Higgins.
Maura is originally from O’Brien’s Bridge in Co Clare and moved with her family to Roundwood at a young age. She spent time as a nurse over in England ad was also a teacher at the old Anna Carter School in Roundwood.
She was married to the late Jay Doyle.