‘A diamond who cared about everyone’

It was with great sadness that Southern Fried learned of the tragic death of Ciara O’Brien of Fermoy HC at the weekend. The 26-year-old, from Bellevue in Fermoy, died following a road accident on Saturday evening. She was travelling from Mitchelstown, where she worked in Abbey Pharmacy, to Fermoy when her car was involved in a collision with another car. Tributes continue to pour in for Ciara, who recently represented her club in the Irish Hockey Challenge final at Belfield last month. Principal Mary Ryan of Loreto Secondary School told the Evening Echo that she would be remembered by all teachers, pupils and members of the community for her goodness and care of others. “Ciara was involved in everything positive in our school and will never be forgotten. She represented Fermoy Hockey Club with aplomb and recently played in an All-Ireland final.  She was also very involved in the parish choir. Ciara was a diamond who cared about everyone,” she said. Owner of Abbey Pharmacy, Peter Murphy, said: “We could not have had a better employee, both in a personal or professional capacity. She qualified as a pharmacist last year and came full-time with us. As a person, there was nobody nicer or more caring,” he said. Ciara is survived by parents Tom and Ann, her sister Áine, brothers Jack and Tom, and boyfriend Stephen. Her funeral takes place at 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday) in St Patrick’s Church, Fermoy. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the accident, which happened at 6.20pm at Cloonlough on Saturday. In particular they have appealed for the drivers of a small, grey car heading towards Fermoy, and a white van travelling towards Mitchelstown to contact them. It is believed the drivers of both vehicles were not involved but may have witnessed the accident. They are asked to contact gardaí in Fermoy on (025) 82100 or Mitchelstown on (025) 84833.