Editorial: A devastating week of tragedy for Waterford communities
The late Mark O'Sullivan, Pat Fitzgerald, Tomás Walsh and Ian Walsh.
Communities across Waterford this week are coming to terms with shocking tragedy in our midst. On our front page we depict the photos of four men, all who have sadly passed away far too soon in recent days and weeks.
We remember them all this week, and their families, as their funerals take place. They were beloved members of our community, sons, brothers, fathers.
Mark O'Sullivan, from Grange Manor, who sadly died after the motorcycle on which he was travelling was involved in a road traffic accident at the weekend.
Ian Walsh, who was originally from Kilcohan and who was living in Carrick-on-Suir - Gardaí have instigated a murder investigation into his death. Ian had been a highly regarded employee of Irish Rail.
Pat Fitzgerald, who died following an incident at a house in the city, was laid to rest on Friday - an ex-Waterford Crystal worker, he was hugely regarded for his work with the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union.
And Tomás Walsh from Cheekpoint, who passed away following a freak accident in the Paris Metro - his family came together with their friends and the close-knit Waterford estuary community for his funeral in Faithlegg on Saturday.
All of their deaths are unbearable, and have sent a dark ripple across Waterford communities, both city and rural.
May they all Rest in Peace.
Waterford may have to constantly fight for its rightful share of the government's national pie when it comes to funding for key capital and infrastructural projects, but despite all the challenges - in healthcare, education, transport and industry, the Déise continues to rise above it all. And this week top the national stats to come out as Ireland's most liveable county.
It's one of the sunniest counties in the country, its housing - yes - is more reasonably priced than many, its great outdoors amenities are phenomenal - from the Comeragh Mountains to the sea, and it rates highly on proximity to a city. Waterford was rated across a series of categories, and overall it was top of the national class.
Waterford is, for the most part, a warm and welcoming city and county - for tourists and new residents alike. The welcome extended to a group of boxers from Palestine this week is a case in point, and it was heartening for Mayor of Waterford Cllr Seamus Ryan to spend time with this group of people, whose families are enduring unspeakable horrors in Gaza at the moment. As we look on at the genocide happening over there, we must continue to show our own empathy, solidarity and support.
The alleged attack on a young girl of Indian descent in our community is abhorrent and must be roundly condemned. This is not who we want to be as a people. While it is only a very small minority who engage in such attacks, sadly it reflects upon our community as a whole. This is not what Ireland's most liveable city is about. Ours is a liveable city for everyone, no matter their religion, skin tone, or village, town, city or country of origin.
