Victim of Cloonfad shooting to be laid to rest

By JACQUELINE HOGGE REQUIEM Mass for one of the victims of a double shooting in Cloonfad will take place later today (Wednesday) at St Joseph's Church in the village on the Galway-Roscommon border. Sarah Regan, a 30-year-old mother of two, lost her life on Friday night when she was shot in the head as she sat in her parked car in the Springvale housing estate in the town. Her former partner, Robert Hartley, 44, was also found dead of gunshot wounds in his car a short distance away. Gardai are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and it is believed Mr Hartley shot Sarah before taking his own life. Fr Joseph Feeney, Parish Priest of Kiltullagh, administered the last rites to both Sarah and Robert, who came from Grangemockler, Co Tipperary but had lived in Cloonfad up until recent months. Fr Feeney said the entire community was shocked by what had happened and said it would take a very long time for people to come to terms with the tragedy. 'This happened right in the centre of the town, so people are passing the scene every day and it is going to be a constant reminder of this terrible tragedy,' he said. 'Sarah had returned to Cloonfad about six months ago and had settled back into the village well with her two children, who both attend the national school here. 'Her daughter in fact was a reader at Mass only last week and she was there to support her as any proud parent would. 'I know the family well, Sarah's parents and her uncle live here in Cloonfad and as a community we extend our prayers and thoughts to them at this incredibly difficult time.' Post mortems on both bodies were conducted by State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy at UHG at the weekend before they were released to their families for the funerals. Ms Regan will be laid to rest following Mass at 12 noon at St Patrick's Church in Cloonfad cemetery.