Markmakeshis finaljourneyhome
CELEBRATIONS for St. Patrick’s day in Dundalk are gearing up as organisers prepare to announce the full line up of events later this week.
Chairperson of the Dundalk St Patrick’s Day event, Cllr. Conor Keelan, said he is pleased with the progress that is being made, despite the time constraints. ‘Despite the short lead-in time, there has been a lot of work done by the committee so far and those involved are committed to ensuring that there is a good programme of events for families to enjoy on the day, from 2pm to 5pm in and around the Market Square.
‘We are putting the finishing touches to the event programme and we hope to formally announce what’s happening later this week so that everyone knows what to expect for March 17 in Dundalk’.
Cllr. Keelan said: ‘ There has been good engagement with groups from around the town and we are happy with the support we have received from people who want to take part in the music and dancing that’s being organised.’
He added: ‘While we are concentrating on the 2019 event, we are also beginning to work on the 2020 parade, which we hope will be something THE funeral of Blackrock student Mark Sands is due to take place in his native village this week.
The popular 21 year old UCD student was on an exchange programme with the University of Texas in Austin when he was hit by a car while riding an electric scooter on February 1.
He sustained serious injuries and underwent emergency surgery but passed away with his heartbroken parents Paddy and Ruth and sisters Laura and Aoife at his bedside. He is also survived by grandparents Richard and Joan Martin, aunts Mary, Annemarie, Elaine, and Lisa, uncle Richard, uncles-in-law Carl and Paul, aunt-in-law Catherine, cousins, and Laura’s partner, Andy and many friends.
Mark is reposing at his family home today (Tuesday) from 3pm to 8pm. A Liturgical celebration of Mark’s life will take place tomorrow in St. Oliver Plunkett Church, Blackrock, at 11am, followed by private cremation on Thursday.
A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the family’s expenses has raised over $36,000.
His family have expressed their thanks to all those who donated saying that they really special, particularly with the newly refurbished Clanbrassil Street as a backdrop’. Cllr. Anne Campbell, who is also on the committee, said she realises that people will be disappointed there is no parade this year. ‘People have expressed their frustration and disappointment that there will be no parade in Dundalk in 2019. I want to be clear about why this is – Dundalk Chamber of Commerce announced last year they were no longer able to provide the resources and staffing needed to organise a parade. In the middle of January, there was a public meeting called to decide what could be done with just two months to go to St Patrick’s Day. At that meeting, a number of councillors put ourselves forward in order to ensure there would be something for families to do in Dundalk on the day. ‘Since then, we have been working together with a number of others, including Shane McBride from Pelican, Elaine McGeough, manager of the Long Walk Shopping Centre; Maria O’Toole from PayPal; Kayleigh Mulligan from the Louth Volunteer Centre and Pat McCormick, president Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, to make sure that Dundalk was not left with no events at all.’ are ‘overwhelmed by your support and donations. Any funds over and beyond costs and expenses will be distributed to causes meaningful to Mark and the family.’
The family have donated Mark’s organs to give other the gift of life to other.
A third year computer science student at UCD, Mark had enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin in the autumn as an exchange student and was a member of the Iron Spikes spirit group.
He had travelled home to Ireland to spend Christmas with his family and had returned to Austin in January.
A book of condolences was opened by the UCD School of Computer Science who described his death as ‘a sorrow for all in the UCD community’ and expressed their deepest condolences to his family and friends.
The Iron Spikes spirit group at the University of Texas said they were ‘ deeply Coláiste Chú Chulainn student, Hannah Reilly who won a place in the Junk Kouture Regional Finals. Photo: Aidan Dullaghan/Newspics. saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of Mark Sands. Mark was an incredible man who always brought a smile to those around him. He was a kind, loving, and caring individual who regularly put others first. He was truly a blessing to know and touched so many lives for the better. Mark will be missed greatly, and our organization sends our love and condolences to Mark’s family and friends.’
It has also emerged that the type of scooter Mark was riding when he was struck by a Uber car is the subject of calls for an investigation following a number of accidents in the United States. A spokesperson for the electric-scooter-rental company has been reported as commenting: ‘We were devastated to learn of this tragic death here in Austin and our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time.’