This article is from page 2 of the 2012-07-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE funeral will take place in Ennis today of a well-known father of four who died following a tragic accident last week. Ennis man Sean O’Sullivan got into difficulty while swimming at Whitestrand near Spanish Point.
The incident occurred at around 5.30pm on Friday. A lifeguard on duty was asked to check on Mr O’Sullivan’s position in the water. A boat alerted the lifeguard to the presence of a body in the water.
Mr O’Sullivan was brought ashore where attempts were made to resuscitate him.
Mr O’Sullivan was brought by heli- copter to University Hospital Galway where he was later pronounced dead.
He was an experienced swimmer, lifeguard and sub-aqua diver from a well-known and popular sporting Ennis family. He was a long-serving member of the Ennis Sub Aqua Club and worked for many years as a lifeguard. Two of Mr O’Sullivan’s sons, as well as two nephews, currently work as lifeguards in Clare.
Mr O’Sullivan’s family are also well known from their long-time involvement in the Community Games.
Tributes have been paid to a man described as a “fantastic” person and athlete.
A spokeswoman for Clare Commu- nity Games said, “Clare Community Games were shocked and saddened at the sudden death of Sean O’Sullivan on Friday last. Sean was vice chairman of Clare Community Games in 1998 and 1999.
“He was very actively involved in all aspects of the games both at Area and County level. Sean won a Silver medal for Judo at the National Finals in Mosney in 1974. Sean is the son of John and Cecilia, President and Vice President of Clare Community Games,” she continued.
“We extend our sympathy and prayers to all the O’Sullivan family and extended family. Ar deis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Friend and Clare Water Safety Development Officer, Liam Griffin, described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”.
He added, “He was a fantastic fella, a real lovely, lovely fella. He was involved in water safety for a long number of years. He would have been a lifeguard on all the big beaches in Clare. Everyone is numb after what happened.”
Mr O’Sullivan is pre-deceased by his sister Rose. He is survived by his wife Helen and sons Cian, Eoin, Cormac and Donnchadh. He will be sadly missed by his family, extended family and wide circle of friends. Funeral Mass takes place at 11am today at Ennis Cathedral. Burial afterwards in Drumcliffe Cemetery.