The Parish Priest of Shannon says the community spirit of Clare is coming out in the face of the tragic loss of a Clare newlywed in the Greek wildfires.
A book of condolence is opening in Shannon this weekend, in memory of Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp, who lost his life while on honeymoon in a holiday resort.
It’s now believed the wildfires in Greece, which have left dozens of people dead, including a Clare man, may have been started deliberately.
At least 83 people are dead, and one of the country’s ministers has confirmed there are “serious indications” that arson was the cause of the blaze.
Minister Nikos Toskas has said that ground inspections and analysis of satellite imagery suggest that the fire broke out in a number of locations at the one time.
Searches are continuing for those still missing and many devastated families of victims have blamed the Government for failing to prepare for a disaster of such scale.
Clare native Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp was among those killed trying to escape the flames in resort areas near Athens.
Franco de Bonis is from Blood Bikes East, where Brian volunteered, and says everyone there is devastated.
A book of condolence is opening in Shannon tomorrow in memory of Brian, who is originally from the Tradaree area.
His family later moved to Killaloe, where he’ll be laid to rest, and he went on to live in Dublin with his now widow Zoe Holohan, who’s recovering in hospital from injuries sustained in the wildfires.
Parish Priest of Shannon, Father Arnold Rosney says the people of his home town wanted to pay their respects.
