'An iconic figure in our town': Tributes paid to Limerick road crash victim

A PEDESTRIAN who died just minutes from his home in Abbeyfeale has been remembered as an “iconic figure” in the town.

Johnny Reidy, whose funeral Mass will take place this Thursday, was pronounced dead after he was hit by a car at New Street in Abbeyfeale on Sunday last.

The Reidy family are well-known in West Limerick and North Kerry with his brother Paddy running a bicycle and lawnmower store on the Kerry Road.

READ MORE: Limerick Mayoral Advisory Committee meet to discuss objectives for the future

Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin said: “It’s just so sad. Words can’t describe it really. If he had arrived home a minute later, he would still be here.”

He remembered Johnny as being really knowledgeable, and somebody who could turn his hand to talking about any subject.

“I knew Johnny personally. He was one of nature’s gentlemen. He was an iconic figure going around the town. People knew Johnny near and far,” he said.

Fellow Abbeyfeale councillor Francis Foley, of Fianna Fail, was also a friend of Johnny’s.

“I knew Johnny and his family. They are a very well respected family in Abbeyfeale, very well-liked. It was with great sadness we heard of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his wife and sons. It’s a very traumatic time for them, and I know there is a great sense of sadness around Abbeyfeale with regards to this terrible incident,” said Cllr Foley.

“It’s the start of a year and people would have ambitions for the year, and it’s just very very sad.

“We saw so many pedestrians killed on our roads in 2024 and I would hope in 2025, we don’t see the same thing happening again.”

Johnny will repose at Harnett’s Funeral Home in the Square, Abbeyfeale, this Wednesday, January 15, from 6pm until 8pm.

His requiem Mass will take place the following day at The Church of the Assumption.

For those who cannot attend in person, it will be live streamed at: https://churchmedia.tv/church-of-the-assumption-abbeyfeale

Johnny is son of the late Michael and Josephine, father of the late Sean, and brother to the late Margaret.

He’s very sadly missed by his loving wife Marie, sons Michael and Eamonn, and brothers Michael, Paddy, Noel , Paul and Kevin, plus sister Marie.

He’s remembered by Eamonn’s partner Kerry, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and all his other relatives, neighbours and friends.

May he rest in peace.