RTÉ broadcaster Marty Morrissey has paid tribute to emergency services personnel who attended the scene when his mother, Peggy, died following a car crash in Co Clare last year.
Mrs Morrissey of Quilty, Co Clare, and formerly of Mallow and Doneraile in Co Cork, died on December 7th 2021. The 94 year old was pre deceased by her husband Martin.
Morrissey appeared on the Late Late Show on Friday night where he spoke about how he had arranged to meet his mother on the day she died. He said his mother had passed her driving test the previous week.
“We agreed that I would go down, we’d stay together in the Old Ground [HOTEL)]and I said I’d go and collect her but she said: ‘No, no I’ll drive.’
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“So we said we’d meet about 10, 15 minutes from home, and when she wasn’t there, unfortunately, she was driving on a road that she drove three or four times a day and she missed a bend and unfortunately we lost her.”
Mr Morrissey said when his mother was not at their agreed meeting spot he continued driving and came upon the accident at Annagh in Milltown Malbay.
“The fire brigade were there, the ambulance, the gardaí. I do want to say this, they did their best to save my mum. I asked them to say a prayer with me, once we had mum taken out of the car, we stood around and said a prayer together. I told her I loved her. So I want to compliment and thank those frontline people who we forget how brave they are and how kind they are.”
Morrissey said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support he has received since his mother passed away. He still receives Mass cards and letters from the public offering their condolences following her death.
“I have learned of the last few months the kindness of people,” said Morrissey.
“The generosity of the people of Ireland, that overwhelmed me, every day since mom died I’ve been getting Mass cards, sometimes close to 125 cards per day.
“It wasn’t just the Mass cards I got, it was the letters, I have read every letter, it was their stories of grief and tragedy that consoled me.
“I had my tears and my quiet moments. I just want to thank the people of Ireland.”
Mrs Morrissey was laid to rest on December 12th, 2022, following requiem Mass at St Mary’s Church in Mullagh, Co Clare.
Morrissey, who was an only child, had a strong bond with his mother. Mrs Morrissey met her late husband Martin, who was a native of Quilty, when he was teaching at a school in Mallow.
After the couple married they moved to New York for a period before returning to Ireland where they settled in Co Clare.
Mr and Mrs Morrissey made the journey from the States before Marty was born to ensure he was delivered in Ireland. Born at a hospital in Mallow, he lived in New York until he was eleven.