RIP: Shock and sadness in Abbeyleix as man killed in collision named locally

There’s a deep sense of shock and sadness in Abbeyleix following the tragic death of popular local man, Tony Kavanagh. 

Mr Kavanagh, who was in his 70s, was rushed to hospital after being struck by a car on Main Street in Abbeyleix on Wednesday evening. Sadly he passed away at the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore a short time later.

Local Fianna Fail Cllr John Joe Fennelly said he knew Mr Kavanagh very well and he described him as “a great man for music” and he played the saxophone.  

“He was a character, a lovely, lovey fella and he will be sadly missed around the place,” he said. 

“He was a jazz player. He used to play music for senior citizen’s parties and that,” said Mr Fennelly. 

“It’s a desperate shock this morning. People are in shock,” said Mr Fennelly. 

He said Mr Kavanagh was a single man and his father used to work in Abbeyleix Hospital. 

Cllr Fennelly described Mr Kavanagh’s death as a big loss for the town. He said he would meet him in Abbeyleix “every second day” and he recalled Mr Kavanagh was “a good man for a laugh”. 

“It’s terribly sad, the whole place is in shock,” he said.  

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney said “my deepest condolences to the family. It is a tragic loss”.  

“I know the Abbeyleix community are brilliant and they will rally around the family,” said Cllr Clooney.   

Gardaí issued an appeal following the fatal collision which occurred at around 7pm on Wednesday evening. 

They appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them.

Any road users, who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 6.30pm and 7:30pm on the evening of Wednesday, January 28 are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Abbeyleix Garda Station on (057) 8730580, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.