COUSINS DIE IN SPAIN

PHILIP, SHEILA AND SOPHIE WOODS

I WAS VERY SAD TO HEAR OF THE DEATH OF THREE MEMBERS OF MY EXTENDED FAMILY IN SPAIN THIS WEEK.

PHILIP, SHEILA AND SOPHIE DIED IN MIJAS, COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN IN TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

SHEILA'S DAD, JOHNNY DONEGAN AND MY DAD JIM WERE FIRST COUSINS. THEY BOTH ORIGINATED FROM TURRAUN JUST OUTSIDE TULLAMORE, COUNTY OFFALY, IRELAND.

JOHNNY HAD BEEN A CAPTAIN IN THE IRISH ARMY AND WAS A DEVOTEE OF THE IRISH LANGUAGE. DURING MY CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH THE FAMILY LIVED IN MOUNT MERRION, DUBLIN.

THE TRAGIC DEATH APPARENTLY WAS DUE TO THE PRESSURES OF THE SERIOUS ILLNESS OF SHEILA AND THE COLLAPSE OF THE FAMILY FINANCES DUE TO THE GENERAL FINANCIAL DEPRESSION THAT IS AFFECTING SO MANY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD.

ALL THREE ARE NOW IN PEACE.