Rail staff seek public's support for colleague facing health challenge

The crew of Mullingar’s Irish Rail operation have launched a fundraiser for a colleague who is facing a significant health challenge.

James Donlon, known to all as Shay, has worked with Irish Rail Mullingar for the last 17 years and is known to regular train users as a friendly helpful guy.

However, this valued member of the Mullingar Irish Rail staff is currently awaiting a liver transplant and is attending for treatment on a weekly basis.

His friends and colleagues in Irish Rail Mullingar are reaching out to the community for support.

This they can provide by attending or buying a ticket for a 'A Night For Shay' on Saturday November 24 in The Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar.

What’s in the works is a fun social evening to support a man who has been at the heart of Mullingar’s community himself for so long.

Shay comes from a long line of railwaymen, with his father James worked at the train station for 40 years and his grandfather and uncles also having worked on the railway also.

Shay’s brother Michael, has worked with Irish Rail for the past 21 years and is currently based in Clonmore Mullingar, with the bridge maintenance gang.

“Shay needs the community he has served so well to now help him,” say his colleagues.

Music on the night will be supplied by Howard Whelan and finger food will be provided.

Tickets are available from the Mullingar train station.