Remembering Davy
By Aideen O'Flaherty
OVER 50 cyclists left Tallaght Fire Station on Saturday morning to undertake an 83km cycle to Carlow to raise funds for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, in memory of Walkinstown man Davy O’Beirne, who died in a road accident in Texas in July last year, aged 23.
Davy, who was a talented hurler who played for St Jude’s GAA Club in Templeogue and was a past pupil of St MacDara’s Community College, was a popular young man and is fondly remembered by his peers and his family, especially his parents, Helen and Jimmy, and his siblings, Alan and Rachel.
The cyclists before the race on Saturday
Davy’s father, Jimmy, worked for Dublin Fire Bridge for 36 years before retiring 18 months ago, and said he was delighted that the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, who supported the young man’s family and repatriated Davy, was picked as the charity for this year’s annual cycle.
Jimmy told The Echo: “I was delighted, because all the money that was raised is going to the trust. They bring home 10 to 15 people a month, to Ireland.
“They were a great bunch of cyclists, young and old. I was just delighted to know that the community, whether it be St Jude’s or Dublin Fire Brigade, was coming together.
“Davy would’ve been delighted.”
Davy O’Beirne’s parents Jimmy and Helen with Joe Mulligan from Tallaght Fire Station
Jimmy estimates that between €4,000 and €5,000 was raised for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust as a result of the cycle, which was organised by Joe Murray.
Davy’s mother, Helen, said: “The cycle went really well. There were no incidents and no accidents.
Davy O’Beirne
“We had nearly 60 cyclists, some of them were firefighters from the station Jimmy worked in for over 20 years.
“There was good camaraderie between all of the cyclists – young and old.”
The cycle was an enjoyable event for all who took part, and reflecting how the event went, Jimmy said: “Davy always said, ‘I’m on a lovely one’, when he meant he was going to have a good weekend – and this weekend was a lovely one.”
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