Schoolchildren lined the streets of a Co Donegal town as their beloved lollipop man was laid to rest after he was killed on St Patrick’s Day by a runaway car.
Large crowds gathered under glistening March sunshine as Anthony Gallagher was brought to his funeral mass at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny this morning.
Anthony, who was in his 60s, passed away at Letterkenny General Hospital on Monday morning last, St Patrick’s Day from his injuries.
His brother Martin, also in his 60s, was first taken to the same hospital but then rushed by rescue helicopter to Galway University Hospital because of the extent of his injuries.
He has undergone extensive surgery but is conscious and was due to watch his late brother’s funeral online from his hospital bed.
The late Anthony Gallagher. Photo: Declan Doherty/Donegal Daily.
The brothers were returning home from a night out in a local bar and were returning to the home they shared at Charlie Daly Terrace in Letterkenny when the tragedy occurred just before 3am on March 17th.
The scene of the horrific collision is also just 50 yards from were tragic Anthony worked as a lollipop man for Donegal County Council helping schoolchildren to cross a busy road each morning.
The teenage driver of the car was arrested and questioned at Letterkenny Garda Station before being released without charge with a file going to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community which also canceled their local St Patrick’s Day parade as a mark of respect to the well-known local resident.
His funeral mass heard Anthony was a permanent fixture on weekdays at the bottom of the Convent Road each morning as children made their way to local schools.
“Every weekday morning, this was his habit: He rose to do his bit for the people of Letterkenny,” Fr Anthony Hartnett told mourners.
Four school crossing guards, holding their lollipop signs, flanked the coffin as it was brought into the cathedral.
On Sentry Hill Road, on the approach to St Eunan’s Cathedral, schoolchildren from Scoil Cholmcille formed a solemn guard of honour. Pupils from St Eunan’s College and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal did likewise as Anthony’s remains were brought from the Eternal Light Chapel of Rest.
The remains of RTC victim Anthony Gallagher stops at the sc ene of the accident as it travels to his last resting place. (North West Newspix)
Many others who knew him from his daily duty turned out to pay a final farewell.
Anthony’s lollipop sign poignantly rested alongside the coffin during the funeral Mass.
An Arsenal jersey, representing his love of sport and a Letterkenny heritage magazine, reflecting his pride in being a man from Letterkenny, were also brought forward to the altar.
“Others were just happy to see Anthony coming,” Fr Hartnett said. “His virtue goes deeper still, known only to a select few, but the man we bury today devoted much of his time, energy and his pockets to his family, especially to his late mother Brigid – whose passing Anthony never forgot – and his late aunt Rosaleen.
“His care for his family and his friends is both a precious memory now and a pledge of his love. In God, this does not come to an end. Love is stronger than death and the souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God.”
The late Anthony Gallagher was recalled as being “the salt of the earth” and a man who “made room in his heart for others”.
Prayers were also offered for Martin Gallagher’s recovery from serious injuries sustained in the incident.
Fr Hartnett, who was joined by Fr Kizito Kalemeera for the funeral Mass, said: “Martin, in as much as you are able, I invite you to join us in prayer. Know of our prayers for you and our solidarity for you in this hour of anguish.”
Fr Hartnett, on behalf of the bereaved family, thanked those who had “extended the hand of friendship” since the tragedy and prayed for the emergency services, gardai and hospital staff who assisted.
After the funeral mass, the cortege drove through the town where Anthony and his brother were so well-known and respected.
The cortege stopped briefly at the spot where Anthony lost his life on Monday morning last before traveling on to his final resting place at Conwal Cemetery on the outskirts of the town.
