Victim of tragedy was due to get married

ONE of the two Co Limerick men electrocuted last Sunday was due to get married shortly, it emerged at his funeral yesterday.

Niall Fitzpatrick, 36, was laid to rest near the village of Broadford where he and long-time girlfriend Myra McLoughlin recently picked out a site for the house they planned to build.

The funeral of the second victim, Tom Liston, 41, from Croagh/Cappagh also took place.

Among the mourners were his son Robert, 16, and brother Séamus, both of whom survived serious electricity burns in Sunday's accident.

They were allowed out of hospital to attend the funeral.

Tom Liston and Niall Fitzpatrick died when they went to help place an elevated light platform in a field which was being used as a car park for mourners attending the wake of Billy Sheahan, 21, from Askeaton, who was killed in a single car accident near Kilcornan on Friday night.

His funeral took place to Beagh Castle Cemetery near Ballysteen on Monday.

Because of the huge attendances at both Requiem Masses, many had to listen in the rain in the church grounds at Cappagh and Broadford.

The coffin of Niall Fitzpatrick was draped in the jerseys of the local soccer club, Broadford United, Drom Broadford GAA club and Liverpool FC.

The mourners were led by his parents Jack and Nora, sister Martina and Myra McLoughlin.

Myra's brother Tom, is captain of the Drom Broadford Gaelic football team that formed a guard of honour along with the local soccer club members.

Father Peadar de Búrca said in his homily that Niall was a young man of "unfettered" kindness.

"He had a great circle of friends. Niall was to be married soon. All the friendship and kindness this young man showed, I hope will be a source of strength and consolation for all who mourn him," he said.

Kathleen Liston stood side by side with her sister Margaret Dineen as her husband Tom was laid to rest.

Nine weeks ago, they stood together by the grave of Margaret's husband Ger, who was killed while cycling home. Tom Liston's son Robert and brother Séamus who survived Sunday's accident were also present as were his daughters Bernadette and Katie.

Fr Joe Noonan a cousin of Tom's told the funeral Mass congregation that the sense of loss was unbearable.

"For many people, Tom was a light in their lives. He was a great community worker and was willing to help out at any time," said Fr Noonan.

He said the grief for the family was compounded by the death of Margaret Dineen's husband Ger.

He said that in her presidential inauguration address recently, President Mary McAleese talked about supporting the community and the building of bridges.

"Tom Liston was doing that for years. He may not have been involved in too many organisations, but he was willing to help at any time," Fr Noonan added.

President McAleese sent messages of sympathy to both the Liston and Fitzpatrick families.