Shock at death in crash of popular Belclare man

THE residents of Belclare, and surrounding parishes, were shocked at the tragic death of popular local man Sean Lenehan (43) following a collision involving his motorcycle and a car at Knockdoebeg last Saturday .[private] Sean's effervescent personality, his quick wit and good humour, endeared him to all who knew this popular oil-tanker driver, and he made friends easily wherever he went. He was on his motorcycle heading home towards Belclare on Saturday evening when the accident happened at approximately 4.30 on the secondary road that links Lackagh with the N17. The accident scene was about a mile from Lydon's Cross. Sean was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to University Hospital Galway. The woman who was driving the car was traumatised but uninjured. Sean, a father of one, was the second eldest in a family of four of John and Tina Lenehan, Gurrane, and he was well known in sporting and music circles. He was goalkeeper on the Galway Co Championship winning Sylane Junior team that defeated Ballinasloe in the final in 1988. That same year he was one of the singers on the club's fundraising tape Reflections of Ireland Volume Two. He sang the Johnny McEvoy composition Long Long Before Your Time. Sean was always available to sing this, and other songs, live at functions in hotels, pubs or at house parties and he was always a popular entertainer. He was delighted when the fundraising album was re-released last year in CD format to mark the centenary celebrations of the Sylane club. Sean's colleagues from the 1988 team and other members of the hurling club, as well as representatives from other sports clubs, were among those who formed a guard of honour at the removal of his remains to Belclare Church yesterday evening (Tuesday). Large crowds attended his funeral at Glynn's Funeral Home, Tuam and in Belclare. Sean Lenehan will be laid to rest in Donaghpatrick Cemetery this afternoon following 12 noon Mass in Belclare Church. Gardai at Galway Garda Station are appealing for witnesses to the fatal traffic accident that occurred at the junction of the Knockdoe road and the Cahernahoon road on Saturday at approximately 4.30pm. It involved the Honda motorcycle, driven by Sean Lenehan and a grey Nissan Tida car. Gardai are anxiuos to speak to any witnesses to the accident or any person who may have seen the vehicles before the accident. Gardai are particulary anixous to speak to a male who assisted at the scene of the accident. Anyone with any information regarding this accident should contact Garda Nigel Bourke at Galway Garda Station (091) 538000[/private]