Police stand watch at the house in Camphill Park, Newtownbutler where Olive O’Reilly was found in a critical condition
POLICE INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into the death of Olive O’Reilly who was found injured in her own home in Newtownbutler last week.
Thought to be in her 40s, Ms O’Reilly later died at the South West Acute Hospital on Tuesday, April 14. Her funeral took place in her native Killygarry, Co Cavan on Saturday.
A man was arrested on Wednesday past (April 15), and was later released on bail.
While Ms O’Reilly was in hospital, police maintained a heavy police presence outside the house in Camphill Park, Newtownbutler.
A police spokesman said that a post-mortem had been carried out and that investigations were continuing.
The spokesman added: “There are no further details at this time.”
Speaking at her funeral mass on Saturday at St Brigid’s Church, Killygarry , Reverend Ultan McGoohan, said that the death had come as a ‘great shock to this community’.
“Of course that shock is most keenly felt in her family circle,” he went on, “Our hearts go out to her heart-broken sons Patrick and Andrew and to her brothers and sister, and the extended family.”
Ms O’Reilly was born and grew up in the Killygarry area, in the Shankhill townland, and was the youngest of nine children.
She received her secondary education in Cavan Vocational School, and was a fan of Killygarry football club.
Ms O’Reilly worked for many years as a care assistant in Cavan General Hospital.
Revered McGoohan went on: “She was excellent at her job. It suited her personality because she herself was such a caring, loving and good person. Olive was hugely popular with staff and patients. As the huge crowd in the funeral home last night and the massive crowd here today attest, Olive was highly regarded in the wider community as well.”
Reverend McGoohan described an ‘innate sadness’ regarding Ms O’Reilly’s death.
“Two young men have lost their mother, a family have lost a dear sister. Nothing prepares us for moments like this when suddenly our lives are blown off track by the worst possible news.
“The family I am sure can understand how the Apostles felt in the Gospel when they found themselves suddenly caught up in a terrible storm. They were frightened and fearful and some no doubt were just numb with shock. And yet in the middle of the storm they discovered that Jesus was with them. And we believe that he is with Olive’s family today when they need him most.”
Ms O’Reilly is survived by her two sons, Andrew and Patrick, and her grandson, Nicholas Patrick. She is also survived by her sister Mairead and brothers Eamon, Michael, Gerry, Kevin, Noel, Packie and Ciaran and wider family circle.
She is pre-deceased by her brother, Jimmy.
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