Tragedy strikes two North Galway communities

TWO areas of North Galway are in mourning following the deaths of a mother and son in a road accident and the drowning of a teenage boy in Germany.
The boy, Jack McHugh from Ballintubber, Corofin, was visiting his uncle in Munich when the tragedy occurred.
And in Ballygar, Tina Kelly and her son Joey were killed on Sunday evening when their car hit a tree at Ballaghlea.
Jack McHugh, 16, got into difficulty when swimming with friends at a lake in Munich last Monday (July 18). The eldest son of Declan and Mary McHugh (nee Greaney) was being treated in hospital in the Bavarian capital following the incident, but passed away yesterday (Tuesday).
The teenager and two friends was visiting his uncle Richard McHugh, who owns a pub in Innsbruck on the German-Austrian border but lives in Munich where the tragedy occurred.
Speaking to The Tuam Herald Cllr Tom McHugh, Jack’s uncle, said the family were trying to come to terms with the loss of a very popular young man.
“He completed his Junior Cert at St Jarlath’s College, Tuam, in June and was actively involved in football with the school and Corofin. He also played hurling with Sylane,” he said.
“Jack was swimming with two friends from Corofin who travelled to Germany with him when he got into difficulty. The authorities recovered him from the water quickly and the doctors treating him tried very hard to save his life but by Monday of this week it became apparent that there was irreparable damage to his organs and he passed away at midday today (Tuesday).

Meanwhile mourners are attending the home of Tom and Margaret Kelly, Doranstown, Ballygar, where their daughter and grandson are being waked on tonight (Tuesday) night, before removal tomorrow (Wednesday) for Requiem Mass at 12 noon.
Both mother and son were students last year at Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar, where Joey had just completed First Year and Tina spent the year on a PLC course in Healthcare.

Read more in tomorrow's Tuam Herald