Tributes paid to tragic road victim Peter Galwey

THE thoughts and prayers of the whole community in Castleisland and the neighbouring areas are with the Galwey family following the tragic death of a father, husband and local businessman, Peter Galwey, in a single-vehicle accident on Sunday night.

Mr Galwey – who owned a quarry in Fahaduff, Castleisland, but is orginally from Currow – was pronounced dead after his vehicle veered off the road in Maglass East, Castleisland.

This is the second time that the Galwey family has been devastated by a road accident. Peter’s son, Peter Andrew, was killed in a tragic road accident in 2009. He and his friend had been returning home to Castleisland when the accident occurred on the main Tralee-to-Killarney road in August, 2009. He had just celebrated his 21st birthday.

Mr Galwey, who had just turned 65 on Saturday, was pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle accident on Sunday night. Gardaí were notified of the fatal collision at around 11.20pm on Sunday night, but they believe that the accident may have happened sometime earlier.

Tributes have been flowing in for the well-known local man.

Councillor Charlie Farrelly, who was a close friend of Peter’s, said that everyone is shocked by the news.

“My thoughts are with his wife, Breda, and his four daughters. It is a terrible tragedy,” he said.

Mr Galwey was a sponsor of Castleisland Races for many years, so much so that his generosity led the committee to have a Galwey plate at the races.

“He was a great sponsor and helped us raise €150,000 for charity. He would help anyone, there is many a person he helped along the way. He was a great family man and a brilliant and generous businessman,” said Cllr Farrelly.

Former Fine Gael councillor Pat McCarthy was also a friend of Mr Galwey’s and said that the entire community was devastated by the news. Mr Galwey is married to Breda, and the couple have four daughters – Morín, Gretta, Brita and Síle. He was also an adoring grandfather to his eight grandchildren.

Garda Forensic Investigators assessed the accident area and have appealed for witnesses to the incident. A post-mortem has also taken place, and the results of this may help in the investigation. Gardaí are, in particular, seeking witnesses to the accident or dash-cam footage that may help in their investigation. They can be contacted at Tralee Garda Station on 066 710 2300 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Mr Galwey will be laid to rest today, Wednesday, July 29 in St John’s Cemetery Castleisland following a private family Funeral at 11am in Castleisland Parish Church.

The late Peter Galwey, who died in a single-vehicle accident on Sunday night.