*Chrissie Madigan.
CRATLOE village was dealt with a double dose of heartbreak over the Christmas period with the sudden deaths of two popular residents.
Chrissie Madigan died following a tragic accident on Friday evening while on Saturday morning John Gallagher died suddenly. Ms Madigan lived at the top of Gallows Hill while Mr Gallagher lived at Aisling Court which is at the bottom of Gallows Hill.
On Friday December 22nd shortly after 6:30pm, Gardaí were alerted after a woman in her seventies was discovered unresponsive on the driveway of a private residence in Cratloe.
This private residence is located in Gallows Hilll and The Clare Echo understands that Ms Madigan was struck by her own vehicle after an issue with the hand-brake saw it roll down the hill after her.
She was treated at the scene and removed to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) where she was later pronounced dead.
A retired staff nurse at UHL, Chrissie formerly lived on Mulgrave Street and Verona Esplanade in her native Limerick. She is pre-deceased by her son David and brother Gerard.
Chrissie is survived and sadly missed by her husband Conor, loving children Suzy, Jenny and Brendan, adored grandchildren Paidi, Lucy, Leon, David, Rachel and Joshua, brothers, sisters, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. Two of her children, Jenny (Australia) and Brendan (America) are based overseas.
An animal lover, Chrissie was a regular fixture in Cratloe Woods where she walked with her beloved pets, Ralph, Simon, Sandy, Charlie, Roo, Sibby and Spare Cat.
Sixty two year old John Gallagher died in his home in Aisling Court, Cratloe on Saturday morning. Formerly of Stonepark, Ballinrobe, County Mayo, John had been living in Cratloe for approximately 25 years and worked for Revenue.
He died suddenly at his home surrounded by his wife Ethna and his children Karen and Mark by his side.
According to Cratloe councillor, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND), “He would have been a relatively young man and he would have been seen to be awful fit, he walked three miles a day and his death is a fierce shock to the community. He was so fit and really looked after himself”.
He added, “Chrissie was a very well-got person and she was popular in the community. She would have been involved in different community organisations in Cratloe”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Ryan said of the deaths, “It has brought a terrible lot of sadness to the area, the people of Cratloe are very saddened by it, the community is in shock”.
