Sudden death of Tuam man was second tragedy to hit family in 2012

TRIBUTES are continuing to pour in for popular Tuam man Paddy Halion following his sudden death. Paddy, 42, was a prominent member of Tuam Rugby Club where he was a committee member and coach, having played for the club in his younger years. His death was the second tragedy to befall the Halion family from High Street in recent months, with Paddy's older brother Eugene passing away suddenly last April.[private] Both men were keen sportsmen, with Paddy being honoured by Tuam Rugby Club at his funeral where both the men's and ladies' teams formed a guard of honour. A vote of sympathy to the Halion family was passed at a meeting of Galway County Council earlier this week. Lifelong friend and Tuam Rugby PRO Owen Lyons told The Tuam Herald Paddy had a huge presence both on and off the field. 'Paddy coached our under-11 team this year and was also a committee member and club delegate to the Connacht branch of the IRFU, so his passing is a huge loss to us all,' he said. 'He would have been known throughout the region for his involvement in the sport and there was quite a good representation from other clubs at his funeral. 'He will be greatly missed by those who knew him, both within rugby and his wider social circle.' Paddy is survived by his mother Nora, a former Chairperson of Tuam Town Commissioners, brothers Liam, James and Brian, and sisters Mary, Ann and Noreen. [/private]