News
Family says ‘thank you’ after loss of beloved David
T
Two benefit from kidney donation
BY MICHELLE CREAN
A Killarney family are finding comfort after the death of their loved one as they took the decision to donate two of his organs to help others have a better quality of life.
The family of 25-year-old David Sheehy, who was a former student in St Brendan’s College, Killarney, say they are still devastated and saddened at his sudden passing in Australia on December 22.
However, this week they want to say a public thank you to everyone who helped during what was the most difficult time in their lives.
David’s mom Eileen Fitzgerald from Rockfield, Faha, said that the Fitzgerald and Sheehy families together would like to thank everyone for their support, sympathy and kindness on the recent loss of their beloved David.
They would also like to thank everyone who donated so generously to the GoFundMe page which received a total of €37,145, a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs
to bring David home to his final resting place.
Excess funds were donated to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
David had travelled to Australia in May where he was working as a carpenter.
Two of his kidneys were donated to two people in Australia giving them an improved quality of life, Eileen, who received a letter from NSW Organ Donation and Tissue Donation Service recently, told the Killarney advertiser this week.
“David’s kidneys were donated to help two people,” she said.
“I didn’t hesitate about organ donation because I thought why not if you can. What’s the point of taking them with you. Organ donation is crucial. There are two families in Australia that will have a better future because of it.”
She said getting the phone call on Friday, December 14, was a complete nightmare, but thanks to family, neighbours and friends and TD Michael Healy-Rae, she was able to get a flight to Australia almost immediately.
“The family support has been enormous and the help from Michael Healy-Rae who sorted getting the visa to get me to Australia. My niece Ciara de Mordha travelled out with me and was my right and my left hand for the week we were there. I just want to thank David’s friends Padraig O’Leary from Gneeveguilla – he picked up us at the airport in Australia, sorted out our accommodation and both he and his girlfriend Shelly O’Connor stayed with us the whole week. David’s school friend Dan O’Sullivan from Knockeragh, Killarney, who lives in Melbourne, travelled to Sydney also. Kay Cronin from Kilcummin set up the GoFundMe page. And my partner Brendan, his brother Donal and wife Marie who live in Australia, were just brilliant.
“You’d never imagine you’d be in a situation like that,” she said. “The support has been massive including the one-to-one care David received in the hospital.”
Remembering David, who has a younger sister Ellen (9) and brother Breandán (8), she added that he was a good son who will be dearly missed.
“He was full of life and full of fun. He was not a saint by any means - but we miss him terribly and his death has left a huge void in our lives forever.”
Months Mind Mass for David takes place on Friday, February 15, in the Sacred Heart Church, Milltown, at 7pm. And all are welcome, she added.
News
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.
O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.
Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June
A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.
Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.
Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”
The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship
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