Tom Niland's smile 'reached every corner of the world', mourners hear

Tom Niland’s first cousin Michael Walsh, close neighbours and lifelong friends were joined by hundreds of mourners from the community. Picture: Sorcha Crowley

For a man who was so shy and unassuming, the gentle smile of Sligo farmer Tom Niland had “reached every corner of the world and touched the hearts of so many people who never knew him.” 

Chief celebrant Fr Michael Gilroy led prayers at the 75-year-old’s funeral in St Adamnan’s Church, Skreen, rural west Sligo on Thursday afternoon amid an outpouring of love from a farming community as close to Tom Niland as the family he never had.

“Thousands of messages are pouring in on social media from people around the world who are deeply saddened by Tom’s death,” he said, adding that while today was a very sad day for the parish community, “people in every part of our country and beyond will mourn the loss of Tom Niland”.

The bachelor, who died on Saturday in Sligo University Hospital, had endured 20 months on a ventilator, paralysed from injuries sustained in a violent incident that “invaded” his “peaceful and tranquil life” on January 18, 2022.

Tom’s first cousin Michael Walsh, close neighbours and lifelong friends were joined by hundreds of mourners from the community, former men’s sheds friends, farming friends and bread delivery drivers — all of whom had prayed for a different outcome for Tom over the past 20 months.

Fellow men’s shed member Peter Diamond knew Tom for over 40 years. 

“He was very honest. That was one thing about Tom, you could always depend on him. He wouldn’t say too much.

“A very strong man in his day. We used have a bit of craic in the men’s shed and we’d do a little bit of computer work too,” he said.

Nearby publican Gerry Beglin of The Flying Horse bar said Tom was like one of a family of his regular retired farmer customers. 

“They’d gather on a Tuesday night after the Ballina mart. Everybody loved the devilment. He was a very knowledgeable man,” he said.

Fr Gilroy said that Tom Niland (pictured) was always happy to put his skills at the service of others, and even in his retirement, his “knowledge and skills were often called upon and Tom would happily oblige”.

Fr Gilroy began the funeral mass by welcoming staff from Sligo University Hospital who had spent so much time caring for Tom in ICU. 

“Each one of you played an integral part in the provision of care for Tom, but more importantly, you took time to get to know him and your kindness to him will never be forgotten,” he said.

He also welcomed members of An Garda Síochána, local Civil Defence, local volunteers, the press and media and thanked them on behalf of the Niland family for all they had done to support him.

In his homily, Fr Gilroy paid tribute to the hospital staff who formed a guard of honour as Tom’s remains were removed by undertaker Sean Sweeney earlier this week, a moving gesture which “touched the hearts of Tom’s family”. 

He also praised them for their “outstanding care and concern for Tom” and for the close bond they formed with him despite the “barriers to communication” posed by his lengthy illness.

Poignant symbols of Tom’s life were brought to the altar, including his car keys to represent his love of cars and the independence his car gave him, flowers from his beloved garden which his neighbours tended when he could not, a photo of his home of which he was so proud, a St Brigid’s cross which Tom made himself and his trademark Christmas gift, a tin of biscuits.

Gifted farmer

Fr Gilroy painted a picture of the humble character and happy life of the “gifted farmer” who was one of the longest serving farmhands ever in the west, having spent 54 years working on the farm of Gordon and Mary Kilgallen. “But it was much more than a job, it was a way of life. Tom was held in the highest esteem by the Kilgallen Family — he was one of the family,” he said.

Fr Gilroy said that following Mr Kilgallen’s death, Tom became a “quiet and supportive presence, a trusted advisor and loyal friend.” Mourners were reminded of Tom’s love of working the land and tending to livestock, his deep faith and how as an only child, he never forgot to organise the anniversary masses for his parents Roger and Molly.

Fr Gilroy said that Tom was always happy to put his skills at the service of others, and even in his retirement, his “knowledge and skills were often called upon and Tom would happily oblige”. He said January 18, 2022, was now a date “imprinted” on all their minds ever since. 

“Every time we pass his lovely home, we get that feeling in the pit of our stomach.

“Twenty-one months have passed but we have not forgotten Tom. All we wanted was for Tom to recover sufficiently to regain his independence and to return to his home in our community.

“But sadly, that was not to be,” he said.

He said that while there was profound sadness at Tom’s death, there was also a sense of relief that his suffering was over.

“Someone once wrote that when a single person dies, we seldom mourn them with the raw intimacy we associate with the loss of parents, children or siblings.

“However, I do not agree with that point of view,” said Fr Gilroy. 

He added: 

Because Tom was greatly loved. His family have stood by him with a remarkable strength, wisdom and fortitude, and their love, together with the excellent care of the doctors, nurses and staff at Sligo University Hospital, are the reasons that Tom had the inner strength and determination to bravely survive from day to day in the face of such adversity and pain.”

Tom Niland was laid to rest in nearby St Michael's cemetery.

Meanwhile, the results of his post-mortem examination are being prepared to be sent to the DPP, according to senior Garda sources.

On Wednesday, the trial of one of three men accused of the assault, false imprisonment and aggravated burglary of the 75-year-old bachelor last year did not go ahead as planned after the State made an application to have the case adjourned.

John Irving, 29, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, had been listed for trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on all three charges this week.

Francis Harman, 55, of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo and John Clarke, 34, of Carrowkelly, Ballina, Co Mayo both pleaded guilty to the charge of assault causing serious harm to Tom Niland last May. They have been remanded in custody to November 16.