Daughter’s tribute to ‘inspiring mum’ who died in crash

Daughter’s tribute to ‘inspiring mum’ who died in crash

17 April 2019

THE daughter of the 48 year-old Castlewellan woman who died in a car crash at the weekend has described her mother as a “big-hearted woman who inspired others”.

Mother-of-five Michelle Healy died when the Mitsubishi vehicle she was driving left the Dree Hill Road outside Dromara around 1.10pm on Sunday. It is understood that no other vehicle was involved. 

Her eldest child, Hannah (29), said her mother had just left the home that she shared with her partner, Peter Joe O’Hare, before the collision happened.

She said: “I haven’t stopped crying since we heard the news. Everything that Mummy did, she always put us first. She was devoted to all her children and four grandchildren. 

“So many people loved her. She was so caring, she was so kind, really big-hearted and knew so many people. I know from what others have told me that she was quite inspiration to a lot of people.”

She added that her mother was “very outward-going and made friends easily”, but “lived for her children”.

Her daughter revealed that her animal-loving mother had her beloved dog with her in the car, but the dog escaped unscathed from the crash.

Ms Healy had lived most of her life in Castlewellan and had only lived in the Dromara area for the last few years. 

In addition to Hannah, Ms Healy is survived by four other children — Paul (27), Tara (21), Níamh (17) and Oisin (11). She is also survived by four grandchildren, Corey, Leah-Rose, Finn and Emily and her former husband, Brendan Rice.

She was the daughter of Fred and Mary Rose Healy and much-loved sister of Bernadette, Rosene, Sharon, Mickey, Marian and Eileen. 

Ms Healy’s funeral takes place today in St Malachy’s Church, Castlewellan, and will be followed by interment at Aughlisnafin cemetery.

Local political representatives offered their condolences to the family.

Slieve Croob Sinn Fein councillor John Rice said Ms Healy came from a well respected family in the Castlewellan area.

“All our hearts go out to the Healy family circle. It’s a dreadful tragedy,” he said.

Alliance councillor Andrew McMurray also offered his sympathy. “It’s terrible when roads claim a life,” he remarked.

DUP election candidate Maynard Hanna urged road users to be cautious on rural roads.

He said: “This will be a very difficult time for this woman’s family, and my thoughts and prayers, and those of the local community, will be with her loved ones at this most horrendous time.”

A police spokesman urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward by calling the non-emergency 101.