The late Aiden Allen
AUSTRALIAN police are investigating the death, as a result of a road traffic incident on Thursday evening of last week, outside Sydney, of a 33-year old Irvinestown man, Aiden (Aidey) Allen who previously resided at Lack Road.
He was a son of John and Julie and a brother of Mark, Ashlene and Johnney, Christopher and Laura.
His family, in a statement, said he was ‘much loved and fondly remembered’ by his parents, his brothers and sisters, by the extended family, and by his friends.
“The nature of this tragic accident has affected us all”, the statement added.
Their parish priest, Fr Michael McGourty said the family were ‘devastated’: “They are stunned at this moment. They are just hoping to get him back home.
“He went out for work, like so many other young people from Irvinestown, and he thought it great.”
Aiden was a past pupil of St Paul’s Primary School and St Mary’s College and, prior to emigrating eight years ago, he was a self-employed groundsman, laying kerbs and flags.
His brother, Mark told the Herald how news of his brother’s death was first relayed by Australian Police to the PSNI who, in turn, contacted his mother.
“They then came to my workplace in Ballinamallard to tell me. It was an awful shock when police ask to talk to you. You just don’t know what to think. All they were able to tell me was that Aidey died as a result of a road traffic accident which happened before 8.30pm last Thursday on the Prince’s Highway, south of Wollongong, about 90 miles from Sydney.”
Aiden worked in the construction industry and, according to Mark, he was extremely hard working.
“He always had a great work ethic. He very much loved the outdoor lifestyle that Oz (Australia) offered, and he enjoyed travelling around Oz between jobs.
“He had been travelling to and from Australia for the last eight years, and he had a keen interest in cars and motorbikes. In fact, he enjoyed travelling and seeing the world and, on his most recent trip home (September, 2012), he had stops in Hong Kong, New York and London.”
He said his brother was Aiden was much loved for his laid back and happy go lucky approach to life, and took great pride in his appearance and possessions.
“He always kept a good car, that was nicely polished, and he finished his work to a high standard.”
Mark said his family were overwhelmed by all the support and sympathy they had received since news of the tragedy broke.
“There were a lot of prayers said yesterday (Sunday), and our cousins out there are organising prayers in Sydney for friends and relatives.”
He said that arrangements for his brother’s funeral in Irvinestown had still to be made.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere