A GRIEVING husband whose wife lost her life in a horrific road accident while holidaying in Killarney just over a fortnight ago said his initial reaction was that he wanted to get out of Ireland as quickly as possible never to return again.
But the remarkable kindness, generosity and compassion he received in the three days that followed left him completely overwhelmed and now he can’t wait to revisit the town from his home in the US.
Don Theiler, his wife, Janet, and their friend, Roy, were cycling in the Gap of Dunloe on May 30 last when her hired bicycle rounded a sharp corner, collided with a trailer and she died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained.
Despite the shock and sense of devastation and loss he felt, he was absolutely astonished by the way the Killarney community immediately rallied round and supported him and this week he sent Gardaí in Killarney an open letter to the people of the town to express his gratitude.
“You were there at the worst moment in my life and helped ease the pain in extraordinary ways, most especially with the selfless help of some wonderful people,” he said.
Don said he experienced “an extraordinary outpouring of kindness and help” particularly from Gardai who he described as gentle, thoughtful and considerate in the manner they dealt with his crisis. He said they went above and beyond what anybody would reasonably expect in assisting him and he reserved special praise for Garda members Detective Chris Manton, Brendan O’Donovan, Denis O’Mahony, and Sgt Leo Randles.
“They provided transportation to meet our every need, including a long trip to Cork for the cremation of the body so that we could take it back on the plane with us, only three days after the accident,” he said.
“They also took us back up to the site of the accident so that my stepdaughter, Jennifer, who came to help me, could see where her mother had died. They picked us up and dropped us off at the airport and anywhere else we needed to go,” Don wrote.
“They helped make travel arrangements and helped cancel commitments and flights that had been made previously.”
Don also thanked Greta Doyle and her husband at the Algret B+B who provided rooms and would not accept any payment and Gavin O’Donoghue of The Speakeasy Bar who provided space in a quiet back corner where they could have a drink and grieve without being disturbed every night they were in Killarney.
“Almost needless to say, we did not pay for the pints,” said Don who also thanked Johnny and Paddy McGuire of Bricín Restaurant who gave them a private corner in their restaurant and refused to charge for the meals provided.
“Michael O’Shea, the director from O’Shea’s Funeral Home, was unfailingly considerate and helpful in many ways. I was very impressed by the manner in which he handled the business end of this difficult process,” said Don.
“He helped to make sure that we were able to handle all of the steps needed to allow us to carry my wife’s remains home with us 48 hours after the accident.”
Don, who is in his 60s, also told how moved he was that total strangers had placed flowers at the accident site as a tribute to Janet and in a show of support for him and their daughter.
“It touched my heart deeply to see this tribute to a wonderful woman that they did not know,” said Don.
“Thank you Killarney. You will be forever in our hearts,” he said.
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