Wexford GAA has been shocked and deeply sadden to learn that Wexford u-15 development squad member, Conor Byrne (14 years old) from the Oulart-the-Ballagh club died last night in a tragic road collision involving his mother’s car and a tractor.
All Wexford Development Squads activities this week have been postponed as a mark of respect.
Our thoughts are with his family and we wish his mother Angela Byrne a full recovery.
Conor’s funeral takes place on Sunday 22nd after mass in Oulart, details on rip.ie
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
More below taken from a report in today’s Irish Independent.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/nurse-tried-to-save-teen-who-died-in-car-smash-31004558.html
The crash occurred on the Blackwater to Oulart Road in an area known locally as Rathhole and just a few hundred yards from their home at Ballytarsna near Oulart.
Conor Byrne, who hailed from a very successful GAA family, was a member of the hugely accomplished Oulart the Ballagh GAA club.
His mother was named locally as Angela Byrne, who works as a chef at world renowned Monart Hotel and Spa in Enniscorthy.
It is the second road tragedy to hit the family after the boy’s grandmother, Eileen Lacey, was killed on Christmas week in 2006.
She died while on her way to pick up Conor from school less than half a mile away from where last night’s collision took place.
The incident unfolded shortly before 7pm when the car the pair were travelling in collided with a plough being pulled behind a tractor.
A neighbour, who works as a maternity nurse in Wexford General Hospital, was one of the first on the scene and attempted to revive the teenager.
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Emergency services then rushed him to Wexford General Hospital. However, he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The boy’s mother was also hospitalised, but her injuries were said to be minor and not life-threatening.
The driver of the tractor was not hurt in the crash.
This morning Conor’s aunt Lorraine Leacy said the family is devastated by the loss of their “beautiful, kind, strong boy.”
“Our hearts are broken; we couldn’t have asked for a better person than Conor.
“We are devastated that this has happened to our family again. Conor is an angel now with his gran.”
Chairperson of Oulart-the-Ballagh GAA Club Mary Doyle has said the whole community is “absolutely devastated” at the loss.
“Conor was an extremely talented young hurler,” she said, adding that he was one of Wexford’s top prospects after being picked for the County Development squad.
“His family are heavily ingrained in the club; the sense of loss is massive,” she added.
The deceased is a relative of legendary Wexford Camogie All-Star winners Una and Mary Lacey who also play with the club.
Conor was studying for his Junior Cert in Enniscorthy CBS.
Investigating gardaí from Enniscorthy closed off the road to facilitate a forensic collision examination and diversions were put in place.
They are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 92 42587.
Local Councillor John O’Rourke expressed his condolences to the family last night and said the local community would rally to support the heartbroken family.
“I’m sure the family will get great strength and support from all their friends and neighbours,” he said, adding the road where the crash occurred was treacherous.
Irish Independent
