Wife left devastated after husband killed in crash ‘on the way to see grandchildren in Dublin’
Tributes have been flooding in for a grandfather who died in a crash on Monday evening.
Paddy Kelly, aged in his 70s, was killed in a crash involving a lorry and a car in Co Westmeath. The crash happened on the N4 near Ballinalack at around 5pm. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Paddy was originally from Donegal but lived in Foxford, Co Mayo.
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He was believed to be travelling to Dublin with his wife of nearly 50 years Margaret to visit their daughter and grandchildren.
Margaret was taken by air ambulance to Tallaght Hospital where she was treated for serious injuries.
Margaret, also in her 70s, has been left “devastated” at his death along with their “heartbroken” daughter Elaine, son-in-law Lorcan, and three “adoring” grandchildren.
The driver of the lorry involved in the crash, a man aged in his 40s, was taken to Mullingar Hospital but his injuries were not life threatening.
Speaking about the death of Paddy Kelly, Foxford-based Councillor Neil Cruise told Midwest Radio: “It is devastating news.
“The whole place is shrouded in sadness since news filtered through on Monday evening of the sudden death of Paddy Kelly in a car accident.
“His wife Margaret was badly injured in that and we wish Margaret the very best for her recovery.
“Paddy was a very decent, sincere man who lived in our community for years… Paddy worked for many years in the area.
“He was a very decent, sincere, honest gentleman. You never heard Paddy’s voice raised, he just went about his work in a very diligent manner.
“He cared for his wife and family, they were all very close. They had one daughter, Elaine, who’s married in Dublin to Lorcan and [they have] three kids and I believe that Paddy and Margaret where going up to see [them] on Monday when this sad accident befell them.”
His death notice on rip.ie reads: “The death has occurred of Paddy Kelly (Pauric) of Belass, Foxford, Co. Mayo and formerly of Ballyconnelly, Newmills, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
“Paddy is greatly missed by his loving and devastated wife of almost 50 years, Margaret (neé Murray), his heartbroken daughter Elaine, her husband Lorcan, his adoring grandchildren, Iarla, Joni and Shay who were the light of their Gaga’s life, his brother Gerard (Scotland), sister Noreen (Letterkenny), brothers and sister law and his nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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