Heartbreak at loss of talented Eoin (18) Motorist fined in her absence
THERE was heartbreak in the village of Clonmore as a talented young man passed away suddenly on Thursday.
Warm tributes have been paid to 18-year-old Eoin Byrne, a sixth-year student a Coláiste Eoin, Hacketstown, who was laid to rest yesterday in Hacketstown cemetery.
A number of sporting clubs from across south and west Wicklow have paid tribute to
Eoin, in recognition of the talent and promise that the young man possessed. He was a talented Gaelic footballer, boxer and soccer player and was a member of Clonmore GAA club, Parkville United and Grangecon Boxing Club.
Tributes from his school and numerous sporting organisations have been made to Eoins’s memory since the sad news of his death filtered out.
At Parkville United, the clubhouse opened on Sunday for members who wanted to come together and reflect.
‘All at Parkville United Football Club would like to send their condolences to the Byrne and McCarney families on the heartbreaking and devastating passing of Eoin Byrne. Eoin was a Parkville player, winning trophies at U14, U16 and U18 levels. He was part of our men’s Premier team. He was also an avid GAA player and skilled boxer. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Eoin will be sorely missed by everyone and he leaves a big hole in our hearts,’ a club statement read.
An equally heartfelt tribute was made by Grangecon Boxing Club, where Eoin trained from childhood.
‘We at Grangecon Boxing Club are deeply pained and words are of no help in expressing the sorrow we feel at this moment for the Byrne and McCarney families on the heartbreaking passing of Eoin. Eoin began his boxing journey with Grangecon at underage level and went on to achieve great success winning many Kildare and Leinster titles and was just on the other side of a few decisions for All-Ireland glory. An inspiration to all who trained with him.’
Eoin was described by Coláiste Eoin as a ‘fine young man who contributed greatly to the entire school community’.
The son of Alan and Deirdre Byrne, Minvaude, Clonmore, Eoin was the brother of Caoimhe and Dáire. He is also survived by his grandmothers Kathleen McCarney and Kathleen Byrne, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours and many friends.
There was a huge turnout to Eoin’s funeral at St Brigid’s Church in Hacketstown as loved ones said their final farewells to a much-loved young man. RITA BYRNE (54) from 6 Town View, Carnew, was convicted on the double of motoring offences considered in her absence at the District Court in Wexford last Tuesday, November 6.
The prosecuting garda told how he first came across Ms Byrne and her silver BMW at Island Road in Enniscorthy on August 16. She was handling a mobile phone (fine €300) and he pointed out that her motor tax was out of date.
The tax had not been sorted out when he examined the same car the following month on September 6, this time at Ballindinas outside Wexford town (fine €300).
Ms Byrne was not present but sent an email suggesting that she was unable to attend as she was sick.
However, the garda successfully applied to go ahead with the case as the matter had been listed for hearing on several previous occasions and each time the accused motorist sent an excuse for not being present.