Tragic death of Patrick B Ward
December 1958
THE death, under very tragic circumstances, of Dunleer man. Mr. Patrick B. Ward, P.C, Skibblemore, has occasioned very deep regret over a number of counties. He was drowned in a flood at the Barn Road.
Elder son of Mrs. Catherine Ward and the late Mr. Patrick Ward. Cluide, Dunleer, deceased had been connected with the auctioneering business for more than thirty years, first of all with the late Mr. C. Morgan. Main St.. Dunleer, and for twenty years with the Ardee firm of Messrs. Kieran and McGee.
Paddy Ward was a man who was looked up to by all sections of the community. His good deeds were without number. He was charitable, good-humoured and, above all, an exemplary Catholic. He atended Mass regularly and was in every way an excellent husband and father. The death of Mr. Ward is, indeed, a sad loss to Dunleer, as he was keenly interested in everything that effected its welfare.
He was a most enthusiastic member of the Development Association and it was as a result of his efforts that the firm he represented with such distinction and ability started up cattle sales a few years ago, in the town. He was also responsible, more than anyone else, for the Christmas Fat Stock Show, and the most poignant aspect of his passing is that the very day that he died, he had acted as salesmaster at this year’s event. With only a very short break for a meal, he then was salesmaster at the property sales in the nearby Bellew Arms. Another sad feature of his death is that he would have celebrated his 50th birthday on last Thursday.
Apart from his business interests, Mr. Ward devoted most of his time to his home. He was very much attached to his wife and family, and we offer them our deepest sympathy on their great loss. The eldest girl. Maura, is studying accountancy in Dublin ; Carmel is on the clerical staff of the A.E.T.: Frances and Aine are at a boarding school in Lonford; the eldest boy. Padraig, aged 13. as at St. Patrick’s College. Armagh., while the youngest pair, Bernadette and Miceal. are day pupils at Ardee.
The late Mr. Ward, was educated at Dunleer N.S. and Ardee De La Salle School, and in both places he was recognised as a scholar of high attainment.
Nearly all the auctioneering firms in Louth and surrounding counties were represented, while also present were Deputy Padraig Faulkner, T.D. ; Senator Patrick S. Donegan. and Coirs. Patrick Byrne, Nicholas McCabe and Sean Boyle.
Chief mourners were : Mrs. Joan Ward (widow) ; Padraig and Miceal (sons) ; Maura, Carmel, Frances, Aine and Bernadete (daughters ) ; Mrs. Margaret Ward (mother) ; Mr. Sean Ward, Athenry (brother); Mrs. K. Casey, Tullydonnell, and Mrs. Margaret Longwell, Middlesborough (sisters) ; Mr. Nicholas Ward, Dunleer (uncle) ; Mrs. Moira Ward, Athenry (sister-in-law) ; Mr. James Casey and Mr. James Longwell ( brothers-in-law).
Apart from Dunleer itself, there was flooding in the outlying areas, notably at Cappoge, Dromin and Annagassan. The area around Ballapousta was also badly hit. Homes were abandoned at Oberstown, scene of the second mid-Louth tragedy, with Mrs. M. Durnin, who lived alone, being rescued by Louth County footballer, Mr. Ollie Reilly, assisted by his brother, Sean. Earlier on Wednesday, the Reilly brothers, using a tractor, took about fifty children home from Ballapousta school.