A 'jewel' who was 'very well liked in his community'

The young Castlepollard man who died in a road traffic accident on New Year's Eve was a “jewel” to his family and “very well liked in his community”, mourners were told at his funeral this morning.

Shane Gilchrist and his girlfriend Soairse Corrigan from Whitehall died when their car was involved in a two vehicle collision in Kells on December 31.

At his funeral this morning in St Michael's Church, Castlepollard, Fr Patrick Moore said that Shane and Saoirse's deaths “sent an earthquake of shock” throughout their communities and “ripped the heart” out of his family.

He said that Shane was a talented carpenter and welder, whose love of wood working was fostered during his school days in Castlepollard Community College.

A valued and respected member of Castlepollard Hurling Club, Fr Moore said that Shane was a talented goalkeeper and that as a youngster spent as much time as possible honing his hurling skills.

Shane was a “jewel” to his family and always looked out for siblings while still robbing the best seat in front the TV from them, he said.

Diligent and hard working, Shane was always available to help his uncles and other family members and was close to his grandparents.

While there was no procession of gifts due to Covid-19, items representing Shane's interests and passions were placed on a table in front of the altar. These included AirPods, which represented his love of music and which he never left the house without, Fr Moore said. Other items included a hammer, a pencil and a measuring tape, which represented his work as a carpenter and a nail gun, the last tool that he bought but sadly never got a chance to use.

There was also a photo of Shane with Saoirse, who Fr Moore said, had fitted in much happiness during their time together.

At her funeral in Whitehall yesterday, mourners heard that teacher Saoirse “gave joy to her parents, family members, work colleagues and friends” and was a “beautiful person inside and out”.

Shane was predeceased by his brother Joey. His passing is deeply regretted by his loving mother Trisha, loving father David, brothers Luke, Bryan and Peter, sister Emma, his grandparents Johnny, Maureen, George and Imelda, uncles, aunts, extended family, the hurling community and a wide circle of friends.

Saoirse was predeceased by her grandfather Michael. Her passing is deeply regretted by her loving mother Orlene, loving father Michael, Andy, Keri, brothers Cathal and Cillian, sisters Brónagh and Gráinne, grandparents Michael-John, Josephine and Beatrice, uncles, aunts, extended family, all the staff and students at St Clare's College, Ballyjamesduff and a wide circle of friends.