Megan was a ‘ball of happiness and had a great sense of humour’

By Hayden Moore

SUPPORT has poured in for Megan O’Connor following the tragic death of the 18-year-old after she collapsed Christmas week, with the Tallaght girl being remembered as a “ball of happiness” ahead of her funeral on Wednesday.

In what is being described as a freak accident, Gardai responded to the scene on Sundrive Road in Crumlin in the early hours of Sunday morning (December 23), where it is understood that Megan had fallen on top of a glass bottle she was carrying, fatally severing an artery in her groin.

Megan O’Connor 

A Garda spokesperson said: “An 18-year-old female collapsed on Sundrive Rd, she was treated at scene by Dublin Fire Brigade and was then brought to St James Street Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.”

Megan, who hails from Glenshane in Tallaght, had been enjoying a night out with friends when the incident took place just two days before Christmas.

The community and friends of the young woman have shown their support for the family in the days following the incident, while Father Pat McKinley of St Mark’s Parish – which covers Brookfield, Springfield, Fettercairn and Jobstown – has urged locals to keep her family in their thoughts.

“People in the community are stunned and it is quite a close-knit community so people are devastated,” he said.

“People will continue to support the family and keep them close in our prayers over the Christmas period.”

The former Mount Seskin Community College student, was also an avid boxer when she was younger and although she didn’t box competitively, she did train and take part in in-house events with Westside Boxing Club.

Coach at WBC, James Stacey said: “She boxed here when she was 11/12 for about two or three years.

“Yeah she was a good boxer – a great little boxer during the time she was here.

“I would like to send my deepest sympathies to Megan’s family from all of us here at Westside Boxing Club.”

Mount Seskin Community College chaplain, Patrick Doyle recalled his fond memories of Megan during her time in the school saying: “She had a ready smile, never passed you by without saying hello and had a great sense of humour.

“She would always put a smile on my face when I would see her and that’s my always abiding memory of her.

“Of course, I would like to send my condolences to the family during this time, I’ll be praying for her over the Christmas.”

Hours after the 18-year-old’s untimely passing, messages flooded on to her Facebook page with her friends and loved ones sending tributes, pictures and condolences to the family.

She was described by friends online as “such a character” and the “funniest person [they] have ever met” who had a “heart of gold”.

“Really can’t believe I’m writing this two days before Christmas,” said a friend.

“Megan you were literally the most funniest kind hearted person you’d come across… you where one of a kind Megan, you really where.”

While another said: “She was just a ball of happiness can’t get my head around the news… so young to be taken away look over your ma and your little brother.”

Megan leaves behind her mother Tina and brother Brandon, with her funeral taking place in St Thomas the Apostle in Jobstown on Wednesday at 11am, January 2.

For further details see RIP.ie