Funeral details for Athlone worker who died in road accident

A young Castlepollard woman who lost her life in a road traffic accident over the weekend had strong connections to Athlone where she worked for many years.

36-year old Rose Gibney, from Millstream, Ballynameagh in the north Westmeath town of Castlepollard died on Saturday night last, June 26, when the car she was driving was involved in a single vehicle accident at Lisryan, Granard.

A valued employee at the Athlone offices of Axa Insurance since 2008, the young Castlepollard woman successfully combined studying for her insurance exams while working full-time and worked her way up to the position of night duty Shift Manager. Her untimely and tragic death was greeted with shock and sadness by her colleagues in Athlone and by everyone who knew her.

Rose was born with a hole in her heart and spent a lot of time in Crumlin Hospital, where she underwent open heart surgery. As a result of her experience, the hospital was a cause close to her heart and she did a lot of fundraising, and took part in the women’s mini-marathon with all funds going to provide improved services at the Children’s Hospital.

Described as “hardworking, ambitious, kind hearted and the best auntie and godmother” by her distraught sister, Anne, the late Rose Gibney is deeply mourned by her parents Maura and Pat, brothers Patrick, Matt and James, sisters Jane and Anne, niece and goddaughter, Caithlín-Lily, aunts Breedge and Rose, brother-in-law Aonghus (Ennis), cousins, neighbours and friends.

Her funeral takes place on Friday at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Coole, arriving for 2pm Funeral Mass. Burial afterwards in St Michael’s Cemetery, Castlepollard. House private and family flowers only, please; donations, if so desired, to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, c/o Cassidy’s Funeral Directors, Castlepollard.

Garda Appeal

Gardai in Granard are appealing for witnesses to come forward, and are appealing to any road users who were travelling in the area between 6pm on Saturday, June 26 and 10.30am on Sunday, June 27, with camera footage (including dash-cam) to make this footage available to Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Granard Gardai on 043 6687660, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111, or any Garda Station.