Ballymahon man dies in road traffic accident

The local community in Ballymahon was in shock at the weekend as news spread that a man who lived in the area had died in a road accident early last Saturday morning.

Zbigniew Wilczkiewicz, who was 58 years-old and originally from Poland, died when the truck he was driving collided with another lorry on the N5 road between Ballinagare and Tulsk in Co Roscommon at approximately 5am on Saturday, May 11. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other lorry was removed to Castlebar General Hospital suffering from minor injuries.

Mr Wilczkiewicz lived in the Moyvale area of Ballymahon with his wife and children. His remains are expected to be transported back to Poland for interment.

A special Mass of the Resurrection was held at St Matthew’s Church in Ballymahon last night, Tuesday. The service was presided over by Fr Christopher Przanowksi, a priest attached to St Mary’s Parish in Athlone, who regularly visits Ballymahon to celebrate Mass with the local Polish community.

Speaking to the Longford Leader ahead of the ceremony, Fr Przanowski said: “He was a really great man, a very good character who had a very strong faith in God. His family are extremely distressed by what has happened.”

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Castlerea garda station on 094 9621630 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.