Abbeyfeale community 'numb' after resident's death
RESIDENTS of Abbeyfeale were "numb" this week following the tragic death of local man Fintan Hoare, who drowned after getting into difficulties while windsurfing with friends off the Kerry coast at the weekend.
A major search operation involving the coastguard helicopter, marine search and rescue and emergency services took place after Mr Hoare was reported missing while surfing off Banna Strand on Saturday afternoon
His body was recovered four hours later six miles up the coast at Ballyheigue. He was taken to Tralee General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Mr Hoare, who was a native of Birr in Offaly, had been living at Knockbrack in Abbeyfeale with his wife, Catriona, and their young daughter, Laura. He had previously worked for a number of years at the Kostal plant in the town.
Cllr Liam Galvin, who knew Mr Hoare from his time working at Kostal, described him as a "quiet, friendly" person who will be sadly missed in the local community.
"He was a fierce, friendly fellow who was a very good family man. He kept to himself. He wasn't mad into going out or anything. He lived for windsurfing – that was his game. He'd been living in Abbeyfeale for a number of years and was well known by all of us. To be honest, the place is numb after it. It's just a tragedy that this happened," he said.
Mr Hoare, who was in his early 40s, was an experienced windsurfer of more than 25 years, and regularly took part in competitive events.
He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents, brothers, sisters, mother-in-law, nephews, nieces and a large circle of friends, particularly from within the windsurfing community.
Mr Hoare's remains were removed from Hartnett's funeral home in Abbeyfeale this Tuesday night to the Church of the Assumption. His Requiem Mass took place this Wednesday morning, with burial in Reilig Ide Naofa.
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Weather for Limerick
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
