Meehan, John
December 03, 2013His wife Helen became concerned when he had not returned after a few hours and raised the alarm. His brother-in-law Padraig McHugh made the grim discovery. John's father, Johnny, was there too. Emergency services including the Gardai and ambulance services as well as Fr Peter Gannon from Claremorris attended the scene.
It was not until the following morning that most people began to hear of the harrowing accident that shook a community to its core.
Another huge cloud rolled across the South Mayo horizon, blotting out the sunshine and searing hearts with pain and heartache beyond description. It was the third major tragedy in the area in two weeks following the sudden death of Alan Feeley (28) from Claremorris while exercising in a gym in Limerick University and Darragh Walsh (22) from The Neale who died in an accident in Qatar. All three were deeply involved in the GAA family here in Mayo.
The Meehan family are salt-of-the-earth people. You would walk many a mile before you would come across as fine and noble gentleman as Johnny Meehan, John's father, now in his early 90s
The thousands that filed through Carey's Funeral Home in Ballindine on Saturday evening and night reflected the enormous outpouring of grief as well as the huge regard and respect for the family.
John loved the farming way of life. He built up an extensive farming business at Lisduff and was proud of the long tradition of farming in the family. A tremendous worker, he had a great regard for the land and the environment. It was no wonder that a copy of The Farmer's Journal was among the gifts at the Offertory Procession.
He had a passion for Gaelic games and was proud of his involvement with the Davitts three in a row Under 21 team of the mid-1980s. He also played football and hurling while in St Colman's College. He was in Croke Park to cheer on Mayo on numerous occasions, including his last trip for the All-Ireland Final back in September.
Darts was another game he found relaxing and he was a regular at the sessions in Bourke's of Irishtown over the years. It was close on 11pm when the funeral cortege arrived in Irishtown on Saturday night, led by a candle-carrying guard of honour comprising of the local Foroige Club, Davitts GAA, the local IFA branch and friends from the darts scene. It was deeply moving and poignant and the reverential silence told its own story.
The Irish flag flew at half-mast outside Irishtown Church on Sunday afternoon, flanked by the Mayo and Papal flags. The church was full to capacity well before Mass time and a few hundred people listened to the ceremony over the PA outside the church.
Fr Martin O'Connor, PP, was joined by several priests for the Requiem Mass, including a number from the SMA Fathers. John's uncle, Fr Frank, now in Cork, has been a member of the SMA Fathers for many years and served abroad on the Missions.
Fr O'Connor told the congregation that this was the most difficult funeral Mass he ever had to celebrate. "It is impossible to describe the feelings we have experienced over the last few days. The Meehan family has suffered such a great loss. Our hearts go out to ye.
"Words become feeble and they desert us with when we are confronted with the mystery of life and the mystery of death and the mystery of God. And John's death had made us feel that somehow, in an instant of time, everything has changed and that nothing will ever be quite the same again. The world is empty and we feel like orphans.
"The loss of someone we love is a shattering experience. It seems to empty the whole future of happiness and even of meaning and no wonder we fall silent. The only thing we can do and say is to pray. Prayer moves into this silence and in this silence our hearts and prayers are with you Helen and Niamh, Aoife and Sean, and with Johnny and the whole family as you come to terms with the loss of John who was so special to you all and to all of us. Death is a lonely visitor and John's death creates an empty place in your hearts and your home."
He said there was much to celebrate and be thankful for in John's life. "He was a great husband and father to Helen and the children a wonderful son to Johnny and the late Kitty. Memories will support and warm you in the sometimes lonely days ahead."
John's brother Pat, at the end of the Mass, said Helen and the three lovely children and his family circle and farming were his life. "John was great brother and an even better person. We are all going to miss you terribly."
Young students from the Mount St Michael Choir in Claremorris rendered hymns and songs, including Amazing Grace and The Land Where We Never Grow Old.
Along the road from Irishtown to Ballindine that John took on thousands of occasions, undertaker Paul Carey, another great stalwart of the Davitts team and club, brought John on his final journey to Ballindine cemetery, a vast line of cars stretching back towards Irishtown.
Amid poignant scenes, surrounding by a hugely supportive community and circle of friends, the Meehan family said their final farewell to John on a mild December day in the parish he loved so well.
John, who was predeceased by his mother Kitty, is deeply regretted by his wife Helen (nee Green), children Niamh, Aoife and Sean, his father Johnny, brother Pat, sisters Mary (Kelly), Bernie (McHugh), Christina (Morley) and Kay (Kenny), parents-in-law, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends.
The Mayo News, December 3rd 2013 Tweet
