Shock as local auctioneer dies in road accident

There is deep shock in Tullamore and Rahan today after news emerged last night that well-known local auctioneer and former publican, Liam Kenny, lost his life in a road traffic accident outside Mucklagh yesterday morning (Monday).

Mr. Kenny (70), who lived at Grand Canal House in Rahan, died when the car he was driving collided with another vehicle on the busy N52 road at Bunaterin, on the outskirts of Mucklagh, shortly after 10am yesterday morning.

He was an extremely well-known member of the business community in both Tullamore and Rahan, and was the former proprietor of the Thatch Pub in Rahan.

Mr. Kenny is sadly missed by his heartbroken family, his devoted wife Margaret, his adoring children Ruth, Edel, Grace, Alana, Catherine and Liam Óg, sons-in-law Adrian, Davy, John, Paul and Aaron, his brothers Carthage and Joe, his sister Annie, his 10 adoring grandchildren Eve, Oliver, Tiernan, Fiadh, Cara, Ceola, Daisy, Charlie, Bobby and Louis, relatives, dear friends and neighbours.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor, Tony McCormack, paid tribute to Liam Kenny, and described him as being extremely well-known and respected in the wider Tullamore area. He also said news of his death had left the local community in shock once again after a spate of tragedies over the past month.

"It's very sad, it’s another tragic accident for the area and my heart goes out to his family,” said Cllr McCormack.

Mr. Kenny's body was removed from the scene of yesterday morning''s traffic accident to the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore for a post-morten.

The driver of the second car involved in yesterday's collision, a man in his 30's, was also taken to the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to gardaí.

The N52 road was closed for several hours yesterday to facilitate Forensic Collision Investigators who examined the scene, and Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who were travelling in the area at the time and may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on (057) 9327600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. Kenny will be finalised later.