Pall of gloom in north Clare after Stephanie’s death

TRAGEDY struck in North Clare at the weekend, with the death of Lisdoonvarna woman Stephanie Fitzpatrick in a car crash, writes Owen Ryan.

Ms Fitzpatrick had recently turned 38 years of age and was part of a large and well known family from Doolin Road, Lisdoonvarna.

Local councillor Joe Garrihy knows the family well and he said the tragedy has cast a pall of gloom over the area.

“It’s an absolutely devastating event. It comes on the back of a number of very sad and difficult events for the parish and the North Clare area. I think it’s particularly tragic when it’s such a young person.

“It affects everyone, her mother is a wonderful woman and she must be feeling this at an unimaginable level, losing one of her precious children.

“It is surreal and people are walking around in a little bit of a daze. Everyone is so affected by it, deeply affected. She was such a young person, so full of life, really popular, very bubbly, friendly and outgoing personality. It’s devastating for the whole community and particularly for her family.”

Three of Stephanie’s siblings are based in Australia, and he said the journey home would be extremely difficult for them.

Numerous tributes were paid on social media to Stephanie, with Sinead Fitzpatrick writing “Our beautiful, fun loving, gentle, kind, talented, funny baby sister/sister in law/auntie Stephanie Fitzpatrick was cruelly snatched from our hearts at the weekend.

“She adored her family with a love so fierce, you felt it the minute you were with her. So difficult to make sense of this senseless loss. Hug your loved ones a little longer, and a little tighter today as nobody knows what life has in store. We love you and miss you beyond words Stephanie.”

The crash occured in the townland of Cloonaveigh, on the road between Lahinch and Ennistymon, on Saturday evening at around 6.40pm.

A man in his thirties was arrested at the scene and brought to Ennis Garda Station. He was subsequently released and at this time has not been charged with an offence.

Gardai have asked that anyone with dash cam footage or any information related to the accident contact Ennistymon Garda Station on 065 7072180.

Stephanie was predeceased by her father Patrick. She is survived by her mother Biddy, brothers Pauric, Gerry, Noel, Kieran and Fintan and her sisters Marian, Carole, Tina and Eilish.