BY C.J.McGINLEY
THE funeral will take place this morning (Friday) in Glenties of the Packie Gildea (39) who was killed in a single vehicle crash on New Year’s Day.
Mr Gildea, a single man, who was a farmer, was the driver of a jeep which left the road and struck a wall in the townland of Dooish, Ballybofey, at around 8.45am. He was rushed to Letterkenny General Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. He was a brother of former Donegal GAA star, John Gildea.
A post mortem took place on Wednesday morning and the remains left the hospital at 3pm for his home in Glenties.
Garda Traffic Corps Inspector, Michael Harrisson has appealed for witnesses.
“The accident happened on the Ballybofey to Glenties road in the townland of Dooish. A red Mitsubishi Pajero left the road and hit a wall,” he said.
“The driver of the vehicle was fatally injured and we’re appealing for any information from the public which can assist our investigations,” he added.
After Requiem Mass in St Conal’s Church at 11am Mr Gildea will be laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr Gildea is survived by his father, Gerard, brothers, Gerard, John and Joseph and sister, Anne as well as a wide circle of family and friends. His mother, Sarah, passed away six years ago.
His death has stunned locals in Glenties where Mr Gildea has been described as a ‘lovely, quiet man’.
The large crowds that attended the removal and wake at the family home reflected the high esteem in which the family are held in the area.
The tragedy came a week after a young Inver man, Luke Peeks (26) was killed in a single vehicle crash at Trenamullen near Stranorlar on Christmas Night.
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