Shock at death of Offaly accident victim with close ties to Athlone

The community of Athlone has been devastated with news of the tragic death of a young Offaly man with a lot of close ties to the town.
25-year-old Colin Guinan died after a fall from a horse in the Banagher area on Wednesday evening, July 17. He had worked in the Covidien factory in Athlone and has an extensive number of relatives living in the area.
His body will repose at Eliza Lodge Nursing Home in Banagher from 4pm today (Friday) before removal to St Rynagh’s Church in Banagher tonight for 8.30pm. His funeral will take place tomorrow morning at 11am, with burial afterwards in Banagher Cemetery.
Colin lost his life after falling from a horse and subsequently hitting his head on the Lusmagh Road in Banagher at approximately 6.20pm on Wednesday evening. He was brought to Beaumont Hospital by air ambulance, but was pronounced dead there according to Sergeant Hugh West of Birr Garda Station.
Colin was described locally as a “naturally skilled horseman”, whose family was renowned in equestrian circles. Local priest Fr Pierre Pepper said his abiding memory of Colin is seeing him with a horse. “Colin and horses were synonymous,” he said. “He was always with a horse. That’s the image everyone would have had of him.”
Young Banagher singer and horse racing fan Mark Boylan said Colin and his brother Jack would often join his father Dave and himself when they played songs on Sunday nights in William Lyons’ pub. “You’d find it hard not to get along with him,” Mark said, adding that Colin in life was both sociable and popular.
Fr Pierre agreed, saying Colin - the youngest of his family - had a “great circle of friends”.
Colin leaves behind parents Tommy and Joan as well as siblings Derek, Thomas, Jack, Catriona and Dawn and a large circle of extended family and friends.