Galtee Mountains memorial marks 50 years since loss of Longford airmen

THE memory of three Longford men who died in a plane crash in the Galtee Mountains 50 years ago has been honoured at a special commemoration at their memorial stone.

Mary Byrne from Abbeyshrule was involved in the commemoration and thanked SEMRA-local mountain rescue for keeping the group safe on the day, Burncourt Community Council or their hospitality and Jim Barry who coordinated the commemoration.

Tom Gannon, Jimmy Byrne and Dick O’Reilly were founding members of Abbeyshrule Air Club and were well known throughout Longford and the wider midlands.

On September 20, 1976, the three friends set off from Kilbrittain airstrip in Co Cork in a small aircraft bound for Abbeyshrule airfield.

The aircraft failed to arrive in Longford, prompting an immediate search of the planned route.

Shortly after 5pm, an Army helicopter spotted the wreckage high above Glengarra Wood in the Galtee Mountains in Co Tipperary.

The bodies of the three men were later recovered and brought to Cashel Hospital for post-mortem examinations before they were returned to Longford, where all three were laid to rest later that week.

Mr Gannon, aged 40, was a well-known solicitor who was married with a young family.

Mr Byrne, 56, was a farmer, married with three children, and had converted part of his farm into an airfield which was leased to Abbeyshrule Air Club. He had been involved in aviation for more than 30 years and was chairman of the club.

Mr O’Reilly, 63, owned a garage on the Dublin Road in Longford and was described by those who knew him as someone who took great delight in cheering people up and bringing a smile to their faces.

Thirty years after the tragedy, a memorial stone was unveiled and blessed at a location just off the Black Road leading onto the Galtee Mountains. It is now a vibrant Airport, and a lasting tribute to the three friends.