Young father dies at Tarmonbarry
Local resident Keith Henderson (34) was tragically killed when his car hit a lamppost at Tarmonbarry in the early hours of Wednesday morning last (March 3). His wife, Sharon, had given birth to their first child, a boy, only hours earlier at Mullingar General Hospital.
"Keith and his wife moved to Scramogue about a year ago," says Fr. Eamon O'Connor, Parish Priest at Tarmonbarry and Scramogue.
"He was a regular attendee at Sunday Mass and the community here are in deep shock. Everybody is gathering around the family."
Mr Henderson was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and his body was taken to Roscommon General Hospital where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.
Fr. O'Connor recalls Keith, who was originally from Dublin, as a quiet, thoughtful and happy man who was eagerly anticipating fatherhood.
"The last time I spoke to him was Sunday and he was excited about becoming a father. His wife was overdue at the time and he was hopeful that things would go well," says Fr. O'Connor.
The parish priest has been in recent contact with the family and says that they are understandably very upset.
It is understood that Sharon's father, Ronald, who is also a resident in Scramogue, broke the news to his daughter in hospital.
"I have been in touch with Sharon and her father and they are understandably in deep shock," says Fr. O'Connor.
Addressing newspaper reports that Keith was a visionary, Fr. O'Connor says that Keith did speak to him about visions but that he had not gone into any detail.
"I believe that revelations are private and how someone chooses to handle them is their own business," says Fr. O'Connor. "I told him at the time to seek out a spiritual director."
Mr Henderson, who worked as a chef at Gleeson's Townhouse and Restaurant, Roscommon, was regarded highly by the wider community also.
Among those is Cllr Tom Crosby, who remembers him as a quiet man.
"He really was a lovely man to talk to and was well liked and respected by all who knew him. He was not a man for the pub, certainly not a drinker," says Cllr Crosby.
Cllr Crosby believes that the community is deeply distressed over the accident.
"There is a dark cloud over the Tarmonbarry-Scramogue community. Such a young man and with the recent birth of his son, it really was a tragedy. On behalf of the community I would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy on this tragedy to Keith's wife, child and extended family," he says.
The accident, which occurred across from St. Barry's GAA grounds at 2.45am on March 3, is currently being investigated by Gardai who are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Boyle Garda Station on 071 9664620 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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