Legion GAA shine a light for tragic fall victim Damien Lyne

LEGION GAA club ‘shone a light’ to say a special goodbye to 25-year old Damien Lyne on Tuesday night.

His jersey, number 5, was laid on the GAA pitch as members of the club, unable to attend the funeral due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, gathered to pay their respects to the Lyne family on the loss of a much loved, son, brother and friend.

Damien Lyne, who is the brother of Kerry footballer, Jonathan Lyne, lost his life in a tragic accident in the early hours of Friday morning while out with friends.

The family are steeped in Kerry GAA with his grandfather and granduncles having also lined out for the

Kerry team. He is also a cousin of renowned Kerry player Pat Spillane.

The thoughts and prayers of the entire community in Killarney is with the family, including his parents Geraldine and Denis and his brother Jonathon and sister Denise. Tributes have been pouring in for the late Mr Lyne including from Legion GAA club.

Mr Lyne played at underage level with the Killarney club, as did his brother Jonathan. The family are from Cleeney and are well-known in Killarney.

The Club said that their thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.

“It is with the deepest regret and sadness that we learned of the untimely passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents Denis and Geraldine, his brother Jonathan and sister Denise and to all the extended Lyne family at this very difficult time. Damien was a very accomplished player and represented the club at every level, he played a pivotal role in our U21 County Championship.”

Gardaí confirmed that enquiries are ongoing into the tragic accident which took place in the early hours of Friday morning in Whitebridge.

It is understood that Mr Lyne was with friends when he fell and that they raised the alarm.

Gardaí and the ambulance service rushed to the scene.

Mr Lyne was pronounced dead at the scene. His remains were removed to University Hospital Kerry and a post-mortem took place on Friday afternoon. His Funeral Mass took place on Monday.

Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin Elaine O’Dongohue, Fr Mark Moriarty (back from left) Brian and Eileen O’Leary, Breda O’Dongohue, John and Geraldine Keane, Paul and Brian Moriarty participating in the Shine A Light for Damien Lyne (pictured, right, in action for his beloved Legion) on Monday, days after his tragic death in a fall. INSET: His no. 5 Legion jersey surrounded by light in the moving memorial.