Lake death of Killinure man shocks community

Much of South Westmeath was plunged into shock this weekend at news of the tragic passing of Killinure man Joe Dooner. The body of Joe, a single man in his 60s, was found floating in Lough Ree on Saturday by another boater, a local person, and gardai were notified at 2.30pm. It's understood he had attended a special barbecue hosted by Cllr Kevin 'Boxer' Moran at The Lough Ree Inn on Friday night. He was last seen boarding his boat at Coosan Point, at the end of the night, on his way back to Quigley's Marina in Killinure, a journey he would have made on countless occasions. Gardai in Athlone are investigating the sudden death but said there are no suspicious circumstances. It's suspected he may have suffered a heart attack en route to his home place in Killinure where he lived with his brother Tommy. A post-mortem was carried on Tuesday at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore. Mr Dooner who always wore a cap, his trademark, spent a lot of time on Lough Ree on his boat, so much so that many local people say he knew every inch of the lake and it was his home. A keen fisherman, he was also known as someone who could turn his hands to anything, being a gifted stonemason and very good with wood. Known and loved locally as a great character and great company, he was kind hearted and generous and a cup of tea and a welcome was waiting for anyone who visited him. He was always there to help people in times of trouble. Cllr Kevin 'Boxer' Moran described the late Mr Dooner as "a very dear friend". He said Joe was a "great character" and was one of the last surviving members of a former generation of traditional lakeside dwellers. He was always full of yarns and stories about the lake, and these would live on in the memory of those with whom he shared his love of the river and lake. Cllr Moran said the latest tragic death on the lake had prompted him to investigate the possibility of a memorial garden, possibly at Coosan Point, to mark those who had lost their lives on the river and lake. "Other people from the fishing community and boat users have lost their lives on the river and there's nowhere on the Shannon that I know of to have a plaque or memorial garden in memory of all those people". One of a family of 13, Joe is pre-deceased by his sisters Molly and Bridie. He is survived by his sisters Kathleen, Nora, Peg, Olive, Carmel and brothers, Michael, Pete, Paddy, Tommy and Leo, as well as a large extended family and a big circle of friends. His remains will be reposing in Flynn's Funeral Home today (Wednesday) at 4pm leaving at 5.30pm to arrive at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tubberclair for 6pm. Burial after funeral Mass on Thursday at 10.30am in Tubberclair cemetery.