Ballymahon crash victim remembered as "a true gentleman"
Warm tributes have been paid to a highly-respected Ballymahon man who lost his life in a two-vehicle crash on the main N55 road between Longford and Athlone on Thursday last.
Tom Walsh, who was in his 60s, died when the car he was driving collided with another vehicle on a section of the main N55 road at The Pigeons, at around 11am on Thursday morning last, March 27.
He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident while a passenger in the late Mr Walsh's car, aged in his 80s, was taken to the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore with what Gardai described as “non-life threatening injuries.”
The driver of the second car involved in the collision, also believed to be in his 80s, was taken to the same hospital for treatment of injuries which were also described by Gardai as “non-life threatening.”
The late Tom Walsh, who lived at 12 Willow Crescent in Ballymahon and was formerly of Terlicken, was a very popular member of the maintenance staff at Center Parcs, and also did occasional work with local farmers.
In a warm online tribute, his colleagues at Fendel Services in Center Parcs said he was “hugely popular” with everyone in the company, and added that his “kindness and positivity” made it "a pleasure" to work with him.
Another tribute from the security team in Center Parcs described Tom Walsh as being “a true gentleman with a warm smile” while the Tech Services team at the popular tourist facility said he had been part of the team “since the beginning and will be a huge loss.”
The father of three sons, whose tragic and untimely death has left the town of Ballymahon and the surrounding areas reeling with shock, was also being remembered this week as “a great neighbour” and “a good honest decent man” who always had time for a chat and was ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.
The late Tom Walsh is deeply regretted by his three sons Paul, James and Andrew, their mother Sharon and his brothers and sister Jody, Ned, Dermot, Martin and Mary, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours.
He was laid to rest in Kilcommock Cemetery on Monday of this week, March 31, following Funeral Mass in St Matthew's Church, Ballymahon.
A technical examination of the crash scene at The Pigeons on the main N55 road between Ballymahon and Athlone was carried out by Garda Forensic Collision investigators on Thursday afternoon last, before the road re-opened to the public late on Thursday evening.
As part of their investigation into the cause of the crash, Athlone gardai have appealed for any witnesses who may have been travelling between Ballymahon and Athlone on Thursday last in the minutes leading up to the crash to come forward.
They are especially anxious to speak to any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 10.15am and 11.15am to make such footage available to investigating Gardaí.