Tributes paid to missionary killed in Tipperary crash

Tributes were tonight paid to a dedicated missionary killed in a road crash in Co Tipperary.

Fr Roger Kinane died when his car collided with a truck yesterday evening at Horse and Jockey, near Thurles.

The 83-year-old Kiltegan Father was described as a homely man who worked with others in need throughout his life.

One of 11 children, the native of Rossmore was ordained in 1951 and became a member of St Patrick’s Missionary Society in Kiltegan, Co Wicklow.

After his retirement Fr Kinane returned home, spending the summer months in Toureen, Rossmore.

Rossmore parish priest Fr James Fogarty said the late missionary was worked in Africa for almost all of his life.

“He left here in the 50s and came back quite a bit,” said Fr Fogarty.

“He was a very nice homely man and was very well known in the area. For the last five years or more he hasn’t been back to Africa but he came here each summer and stayed with relations and returned to St Patrick’s each winter.

“He still has a lot of brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews around. All of them still live in the area within a 20 mile radius.”

Fr Kinane was ordained the same day of his brother Philip, who served in the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. He died in 2001.

Their younger brother Willie is currently with the diocese of Sacramento, California, while their sister Kathleen became a Cross and Passion sister and is ministering in Sao Paulo, Peru.

It is understood Fr Willie, who was home last week for his brother-in-law’s funeral, is making arrangements to travel back again.

No funeral arrangements have yet been made.

Meanwhile, investigations are continuing in to the death of a 17-year-old killed when his car left the road at in Gorey, Co Wexford.

No other vehicle was involved in the crash, which happened at 8.30pm last night.