Brother of former Tánaiste Dick Spring, the well-known doctor and golf course architect died this morning at his home.
The father of Kerry North/West Limerick Labour Deputy Arthur J Spring, Labour Cllr Graham and daughter Julianne, Dr Spring celebrated his 70th birthday just last month.
He was a great lover of sports playing football and hurling as a young man, but it was in the field of golf that Dr Spring really excelled, representing Munster for several years, turning professional on reaching 50 and gaining a card on the European Seniors Tour in 1997.
He was a renowned golf course designer and worked on courses in Cregmore Park in Galway, Ballinamore, Beaufort, Castlegregory, Clones, Cavan, Dun Laoghaoire, Naas, Craddockstown, The Heath, Roscrea, East Clare, Woodstock, Castleisland, Kilrush, Newcastlewest, The Kerries, Parknasilla and Kenmare.
Funeral details: Reposing at the Hogan Funeral Home from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Thursday. Requiem Mass at 10am on Friday morning in St John’s Church, Tralee. Burial afterwards at Rath Cemetery.
GARDAÍ in Tralee are investigating a fatal vehicle road traffic collision which occurred on the Tralee to Abbeydorney Road yesterday evening.
The collision occurred at approximately 9.55pm at Listellick North between two cars and a motorcyclist. A male (53 years) motor cyclist was fatally injured.
He was pronounced dead at scene and his body has been removed to the mortuary in Tralee where a post mortem is expected to take place at a later stage. No one else was injured in the collision.
Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Tralee Garda Station on 066 7102300, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.
The area at Kelliher’s Garage where Nigel Leigh’s body was found this morning.
THE man who was found dead this morning at a garage in Rathass has been named.
He was 42-year-old Nigel Leigh from Fossa in Killarney.
Mr Leigh was found dead this morning at 7am near the car wash at Kelliher’s Garage in Rathass. The incident is being treated as a sudden death.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission are conducting their own investigation into Mr Leigh’s death as it emerged he had been arrested yesterday for public order offences near his home in Killarney and brought to Killarney garda station.
Shortly after arrival at the garda station, an ambulance was called and he was transferred to Tralee General Hospital.
The GSOC statement released earlier today said: “As a result of the person having been in contact with gardaí before his death, the incident was referred to the Garda Ombudsman for independent investigation. GSOC investigators have been deployed to the scene and will examine the circumstances of the death.”
GSOC are appealing for anyone who may have encountered the man in the early hours of this morning, or anyone with information which may assist the investigation to contact them on 1890-600-800.
THE man, whose body was discovered at a garage in Rathass this morning, was arrested for public order offences in Killarney yesterday.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission are conducting their own investigation into the discovery of the body of a man aged in his 40s at Kelliher’s Garage in Rathass at 7am.
The incident is being treated as a sudden death.
In a statement, GSOC said: “A man in his early 40s has been found dead at approximately 7am this morning, in the vicinity of Tralee General Hospital.
According to the Garda Síochána, the man had been arrested for public order offences yesterday evening near his home in Killarney and brought to Killarney garda station.”
“Gardaí report that, shortly after arrival at the garda station, an ambulance was called and he was transferred to Tralee General Hospital.”
“As a result of the person having been in contact with gardaí before his death, the incident was referred to the Garda Ombudsman for independent investigation. GSOC investigators have been deployed to the scene and will examine the circumstances of the death.”
GSOC are appealing for anyone who may have encountered the man in the early hours of this morning, or anyone with information which may assist the investigation to contact them on 1890-600-800.
Gardaí will continue to investigate the matter as a sudden death, and GSOC will carry out its own investigation.
The car wash at Kelliher’s Garage where a man’s body was found this morning.
GARDAI are investigating the circumstances of the death of a man whose body was discovered at a business in Rathass this morning. (click here for update)
The man, aged in his 40s, was found by a member of the public at 6.30am at the car wash in Kelliher’s Garage Rathass.
Gardaí have preserved the scene and are keeping an open mind into how the man died.
The Kane Building at UCC where Paul Higgins died yesterday.
THE Kerry man studying at UCC who died in a fall yesterday has been named.
Paul Higgins from Kilfenora, Fenit, died in a fall at the Kane Science Building at the university at around lunchtime yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the scene and Mr Higgins, who was aged in his 20s, was taken to Cork University Hospital but died from his injuries.
Gardai in Cork city are are appealing for information on 021 4522000.
The funeral arrangement are: Reposing at The Gleasure Funeral Home on Saturday from 3pm to 5pm. Removal at 5pm to the Church of the Purification, Churchill.
Funeral Mass for Mr Higgins will take place in the Church of the Purification, Churchill, at 2pm on Sunday.
ONE of the legends of Irish handball has passed away.
Tom ‘Roundy’ McEllistrim from Ballymac, who won several All-Ireland titles in an illustrious career which spanned decades, passed away on Sunday morning. He was 75.
In his career he won four Junior Singles All Irelands [Softball and Hardball] in 1966, and also the Gael Linn Trophy; 60X30 Senior Doubles All Ireland 1968, 1970.
He was a brother of Murty, another illustrious handballer. His father, Jimmy Mc Ellistrim donated the site on which Ballymac Handball Alley now stands.
Roundy, aka “The Champ” passed away on Sunday, December 7, at 8am in Tralee Community hospital.
In a long and illustrious career, Roundy was a specialist in the 60X30 alley, winning numerous big court competitions in softball and hardball.
The ability to control games from the centre of the court marked him out as one of true greats of the game; his “soft” corner kill from the centre of the court or passing lob shot were only two of the hallmarks of this brilliant handballer.
The Champ, delighted in showing the youngsters in Ballymac his “party piece”, standing a box of matches against the front wall in the big alley, and hitting it with a handball from the back of the alley-fully sixty feet away.
Roundy’s parents-Jimmy and Bridie, were the genesis of handball in Ballymac, as the Mc Ellistrim family gave the site for the alley on which Ballymac Handball alley now stands.
Their generosity has touched the lives of many families within the parish, and indeed throughout the County. Roundy is survived by his brother-Murty, and two sisters-Philomena and Joan; and he is predeceased by Richard “Dick” Mac, and his sister Kathleen.
Funeral arrangements as follows; removal on Monday 8th December from Tangney’s funeral home in Castle island 6pm-8pm to St Brendan’s Church, Clogher, Ballymacelligott; funeral mass in St Brendan’s Church, Clogher, Ballymacelligott on Tuesday December 9th at 12 noon, burial afterwards in Clogher graveyard.
Roll of honour
Four in one year: 1966 was a momentous year for “The Champ” as he dominated the 60X30 alley, in both softball and hardball. Unique achievement of four Junior All Ireland Titles in one year as follows:
1966: Junior Hardball Singles All Ireland; Junior Softball Singles All Ireland;
Junior Hardball Doubles All Ireland, with his brother Murty; Junior Softball Doubles All Ireland, with his brother Murty
Gael Linn Cup: Only Kerry player to win this National Cup in 1967
Senior Titles: 60X30 Senior Doubles with his brother “Murty” in 1969 and 1971
60X30 Senior Club All Ireland, with Ballymac in 1975; team members, Thomas “Roundy” Mc Ellistrim, Murty Mc Ellistrim, Kelly Leen, Nicholas Kerins, J P Leen
Roundy won the “Hall Of fame Award”, at the 2010 Handball All Stars National Awards, in Croke Park.
Roundy was one of forty recipients, at a Kerry County Council Civic Reception held in Kerry County Council Buildings, Rathass, and Tralee on Monday 19th November 2012
The ability to control games from the centre of the court marked him out as one of true greats of the game; his “soft” corner kill from the centre of the court or passing lob shot were only two of the hallmarks of this brilliant handballer.
