STEPHEN CONNOLLY whose wife Róisín (39) and unborn baby were killed in a car crash in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, last Monday, limped with the aid of a crutch across the sand at Ballyhiernan Beach in Fanad, Co Donegal, at the weekend
Friends said nothing was going to stop Mr Connolly (32), from attending the charity swim which his wife had always loved to take part in. Surrounded by family and friends and by Róisín’s mother Kathleen, he expressed his appreciation to locals who turned out to show their respect.
A minute’s silence was observed for the mother and child who were buried at the nearby St Mary’s Church in Fanavolty on Friday last. A family friend said he knew Róisín loved to come back home for Christmas and the new year. “It was difficult for him but he struggled through it. You could have heard a pin drop during the minute’s silence.”
All proceeds from the charity swim went to the South African Missions. The money is spent on providing food, clothing, shelter and education for destitute children – something which was very close to teacher Róisín’s heart.
“Róisín was beautiful on the outside and the inside. She lived for helping and teaching others,” added the friend.
Although the remains of the unborn baby was initially placed in a tiny white coffin during the removal, the Connolly and Langan families then took the decision to bury her with her mother in the same coffin.