WHEN 73-year old John Michael McSweeney went missing from his home in Knockaclugga near Athea in County Limerick last month, almost every local man, woman, and child came out to help search for him in the bitterest weather of the year.
The McSweeney family were vocal in their gratitude to the extended community, the Gardaí, and Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue teams, who helped the family towards some much needed peace at the time.
Now, it has transpired that the same people who worked hard in bringing the late Limerick man’s body home have seen their good works stretch even further.
During their search for the late Mr McSweeney, the generous people of West Limerick and beyond donated their money as well as their time, putting cash in buckets in local pubs and shops to help fundraise for the search efforts.
On one day during the search there were upwards of 300 people combing the forest and the bogs, along with dog handlers, Gardaí, and trained rescue teams.
Such was their generosity that there was thousands of euro left over when the week-long search came to an end with the tragic discovery of Mr Mc Sweeney’s body.
This week, the McSweeney family donated the money raised to the Abbeyfeale District Search and Rescue Team and Garda charity ‘Little Blue Heroes’, which helps children who battle ill health and other challenges.
Both charities were presented with funds from the money raised, along with a donation of €500 previously given by the Carrigkenny Wren Boys, giving each charity a sum of €2,200.
Garda Tommy Commane, the area representative for the Little Blue Heroes charity accepted the cheque on behalf of the Gardaí from John Michael’s brother Martin McSweeney, while Christy Kelliher and Noel Lane of the Abbeyfeale District Search and Rescue Team with their organisation’s cheque.
