Hundreds mourn woman killed in Thai accident

THE popularity of Joan Lucey was summed up yesterday as hundreds of mourners called to the family home to pay their last respects to the Co Cork woman killed in a motorcycle accident in Thailand.

Members of the local camogie club were amongst those who arrived at the Lucey home at Adamstown, Ballinhassig, to offer their sympathy. With them, they brought a blue team shirt, a reminder of all the games Joan had played with the club. The thoughtful memento brought tears to her father’s eyes and a lifetime of memories flooded back. “She was due to start a new job in Neville Jewellers in Blackpool last Thursday,” Mattie Lucey said. “She loved life; she lived life to the full. She was loved by everybody and she had the craic for everybody.”

He spoke as mourners filed into the family home where Joan’s remains were lying in repose. The 27-year-old had been known far and wide. She’d spent a number of years working with Keane’s Jewellers in Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, and behind the bar in Kirby’s and Coleman’s pubs in Ballinhassig. She’d also worked in the Hawthorn Bar, near The Lough.

“She was a very popular, a very jolly person and was extremely positive,” said her eldest sister, Margaret, who added that Joan loved travel and had previously holidayed in a number of countries and spent several months in America.

The tragic accident happened on Friday, September 6, near the Thai resort town of Cosamsi. Both Margaret and her father flew out to Thailand last Saturday week to be with Joan. She was still alive when they left but unfortunately, passed away before they arrived. Her family flew her body back to Cork last Wednesday.

Joan’s boyfriend, Fergal Flavin, from Cork city was injured in the crash but has since left hospital. His arrival back is Ireland is imminent.

Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend a Rosary, which will be at 8pm today at O’Sullivan’s Home in Turners Cross. Joan’s removal will take place to Mary the Mother of God Church at Ballygarvan tomorrow at 3pm and she will be buried following Requiem Mass at 2.30pm on Monday at Kilingney cemetery in Ballygarvan. She is survived by her father Mattie, a retired Cork airport worker, mother Mary Jo, sister Margaret and brother Patrick.