GARDAÍ have made a fresh appeal for witnesses to a road crash in West Clare which claimed the life of an 83 year old nun last week. Cecilia Keating, known as Sr Claire, was laid to rest at the weekend having lost her life after a road collision last Tuesday afternoon at Bella, Kilkee.
Sr Claire was originally from Lower Fierd, Cross and had been living in Castletroy, Limerick. She was a member of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Australia and Ireland.
Making a renewed appeal for witnesses to the road collision Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks expressed appreciation on behalf of Kilrush Gardaí to those who have already come forward.
She outlined, “At approximately 4pm on Tuesday last, March 7 a fatal road traffic
collision occurred at Bella, Kilkee. Two vehicles collided head-on and one of
the drivers a lady in her mid-80’s tragically received fatal injuries. The road
was closed for a period of time and an examination was carried out by the
Garda Forensic Collision Investigator.”
“Gardaí at Kilrush Garda Station want to thank witnesses that have come
forward already and are appealing to anyone who was travelling on this
section of roadway who witnessed the collision or anyone who has
dashcam footage that may assist them in the investigation to contact
Kilrush Garda Station on 065 9080550. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased lady.”
Sr Claire was laid to rest in Kilballyowen Cemetery, Cross on Saturday following a mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Cross.
Tributes poured in for the nun from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. Among those, Clare County GAA Board offered its, “Deepest condolences to the Keating family on your sad loss. Leaba I measc na Naomh.”
Staff and students of St John the Baptist Woy Woy in Australia stated, “Our beautiful Sr Claire. How fortunate we were to have you share your warmth and smile with us at St John’s all those years ago. We have never forgotten you. God bless and Rest in peace, finest servant. May you be rewarded greatly in heaven.”
Sr Mary Keane and Rev Fr Patrick Keane in New Zealand and formerly Querrin offered their “sincere sympathy” to her family.
Fr John Campion Salesians, Milford Castletroy, Limerick paid tribute saying, “Sincere condolences to Jenny, Sean, Maura, the Keating and Bonfil families on the passing of Sr Claire. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the Sisters of St Joseph communities in Ireland and Australia as they grieve her passing. Sr Claire was a faithful member of our Parish Community at Milford, Castletroy, and a regular visitor to the Contemplative Centre at UL. May her gentle soul rest in peace.”
A representative of the FCJ Sisters in Limerick stated, “Sincere sympathy to the Keating Family and to the Josephite Sisters on the death of Sr Cecilia. May she rest in peace. Her sudden tragic death must have been a huge shock to you all. We have lovely memories of meeting Cecilia at gatherings of the religious family in Limerick and she always so friendly and positive. It was a real delight to meet her. We remember Cecilia and all of you in prayer.”
Daughter of the late Bernard and Mary Keating and sister to deceased brothers Thomas, Bernard and Patrick and sisters Mary, Johanna, Philomena, Sr Joan, Margaret, Sr Mary and Bridget, she is survived by her brother Seán, sister Jenny, sister-in-law Maura, her many nephews and nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces, her Religious Community, cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends.