Sympathy for teacher whose stepbrother died in train crossing crash
Staff at Coláiste Muire Máthair in Galway City have offered their condolences to a teacher at the school whose twelve-year-old stepbrother was killed in a collision at a level crossing in Mayo last week.
Eoin Doyle died when the car in which he was travelling with his father was struck by a train at a user-operated crossing near Ballyhaunis on Thursday evening.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, while his father was taken to hospital by ambulance. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Eoin’s stepbrother, Conor Fitzmaurice, is a teacher at Coláiste Muire Máthair and lives in Oranmore.
Many of his colleagues at the school have offered their sympathies following the tragedy, which occurred at Kiltybo shortly before 9pm on Thursday.
Jackie Dockery, a teacher at the school and a member of the board of management, extended her “sincere and heartfelt condolences” to Conor and his family.
“I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of beautiful Eoin. Holding your family close in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time,” she wrote in a message on RIP.ie.
Niamh Byrne, another teacher at the post-primary school, added: “I am so profoundly sorry for you all for your very sad loss of your gorgeous Eoin. I am thinking and praying for you all. May Eoin rest in Heavenly peace.”
Margaret Davoren also offered her heartfelt condolences on the loss of the “beautiful, talented Eoin”. “May you all take comfort from each other and from your treasured memories of Eoin,” she added.
Teacher Ruth Revill said she was “so deeply sad” to hear of Eoin’s untimely passing. “My heartfelt condolences to Saoirse, Conor and family at this difficult time. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” she wrote.
Emily Griffin, a former colleague of Conor’s at Coláiste Muire Máthair, also offered her deepest sympathies on the tragic loss of Eoin. “Thinking of you all at this terribly sad time. Fly high with the angels, Eoin. May you rest in eternal peace,” she wrote.
Conor Fitzmaurice previously taught at Ballyhaunis Community School and Calasanctius College in Oranmore. The popular teacher has also coached basketball teams in schools and in Maree.
Eoin was in sixth class in Cloonfad National School in Mayo, and was a member of several local sports clubs.
“I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of beautiful Eoin. Holding your family close in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time,.
His school principal, Shane Morgan, described Eoin as a “friendly and kind child”, who was a talented artist and athlete, adding that “a smile was never far from his face”.
“Eoin will be dearly missed by his friends, and all the pupils and staff at Cloonfad NS. Eoin’s family, neighbours and the community at large are in our thoughts and prayers,” added Mr Morgan.
A funeral Mass for Eoin takes place in St. Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad at 12pm tomorrow (Tuesday), followed by burial in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.