Parish rocked by death of woman in Thailand

A JEWELLER’S assistant who was fatally injured in a motorcycle crash on the last day of a foreign holiday was due to start a full-time job this week.

Joan Lucey, 27, from Adamstown, Ballinhassig, Co Cork, had been fighting for her life since Friday after a traffic accident in Thailand.

Her parents, Mary and Matty have travelled to Thailand to make arrangements to bring home their daughter’s remains.

In recent years, Joan had worked in Keane’s and Neville’s jeweller stores in Cork city.

John Neville yesterday said that friends and work colleagues of Joan were shocked and saddened by her tragic death last Sunday.

“Joan was involved with us for several years with promotional and part-time work and was due to take up a full-time position on her return from holiday,” said Mr Neville.

“She was a lovely person and made great friends with work colleagues and many people in Cork.

“She certainly will be a great loss here,” said Mr Neville, speaking from his Blackpool Shopping Centre outlet.

One of Joan’s closest friends, work colleagues said, cut short a foreign holiday after hearing the tragic news.

In her home village, Fr Joe Murphy said the community bonded to offer every possible support to the Lucey family since hearing about the accident last weekend.

“It’s a sad occasion not only for the family but for everyone in the community,” he said.

Fr Murphy said the tragedy had deeply affected everyone in the sprawling parish.

Local Diarmuid Coleman, whose family run the local store and post office in Half Way, said: “This is a close-knit community and it’s rocked by the sad news.”

Ms Lucey was accompanied by a male friend on the trip. He remains in hospital as a result of injuries sustained but his condition is not life-threatening.

Although the circumstances of the accident are unclear, friends believe the pair were wrapping up their Thai holiday on the day of the crash.