A FORMER Clare Person of the Year, who was instrumental in raising funds for Clare GAA, was laid to rest at the end of last month.

Seán Hegarty was a native of Carhugar, Lahinch and spent over half a century working in Dublin, heading up Hegarty Demolition, one of the country’s leading civil engineering companies.

A past pupil of CBS, Ennistymon, Seán won a scholarship to University College Galway (UCG) and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1971, along with his wife Carmel, he established Hegarty Earthworks, a company specialising in industrial development, site development and road construction. In 1990, he founded Hegarty Demolition, in response to the huge growth in urban renewal, regeneration and conservation.

When the redevelopment of Croke Park began in 1993, Hegarty Demolition was the contractor selected for the demolition of the Cusack Stand. Seats salvaged from the project were later donated by Seán to the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron.

A passionate supporter of Clare GAA and a fanatical hurling fan, Seán was a founder member of Friends of Clare GAA. That organisation was set up in 1990 with fellow founders Christy Killeen, the late Myles Clancy, the legendary hurler Jimmy Smyth, who passed away last year, and Pat O’Donnell, main sponsor to Clare GAA for many years.

Since its formation, the Friends and Supporters of Clare GAA have raised more than half a million euro for schools, clubs and county teams at various levels across the country.

Professionally, Seán was recognised in civil engineering and construction for his contribution to those sectors. He was a founding chairperson of the Irish Association of Demolition Contractor as well as chairperson of the Construction and Demolition Waste Council.

Seán also had a life-long involvement with the Clare Association and chaired the organisation for a time. In 2002, in recognition of his charity work and fundraising and contribution to sporting activities in his native county, Seán was named Clare Person of the Year.

A long-time resident of Rathfarnham in Dublin, Seán travelled back to Clare as often as he could to spend time in Liscannor, Lahinch and Ennistymon.

He is survived by his wife, Carmel, and children, Noirin, Orla and Bronagh, grandchildren Roisin, Ella, Jack, Rebecca, Louise, Stephen, Alastair, Finlay, Ruby and Ned, brothers Michael and Patrick, sons-in-law Frank and Dave, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A private family funeral took place in Rathfarnham on December 19.