02-05 2020 16:55
wrote:
On learning of Colm's passing, i have been reflecting on the man I was honoured to know and call a friend. I first met him about twenty years ago at Great Victoria Street station. We talked about the increasingly sad state of the railway and the problems then emerging in the north west. It was clear after a few minutes that Colm approached the matter in a less emotional way as such discussions tend to. Instead, he offered an informed and reasoned take of possible events in the whole. In other words, he had a good grasp of Irish political and social history and specifically that aspect of our more recent history pertaining to the north west. In that context, he considered the loss of the last rail line to the north west as completely unacceptable and vowed to do everything he could to keep the railway open. True to his word, he shortly after became an early supporter of the ITW group. Colm as a person was always ready to offer a kind word and friendly greeting to those he met. He was both a gentleman and a railwayman from the old school with the railway running through his blood and DNA. His approach to the job was underpinned by an understanding of public service and on a number of occasions, he demonstrated a willingness to go the extra mile to help keep trains moving in order keep those who paid the wages through fares content. The railway has lost a first class employee who will be deeply missed by all of us past and present who had the privilege of knowing him. To his wife Ashleen and sons Pearse and Matthew and the wider family, I wish to offer my heartfelt sympathy. Rest in peace old friend.
02-05 2020 16:55
wrote:
On learning of Colm's passing, i have been reflecting on the man I was honoured to know and call a friend. I first met him about twenty years ago at Great Victoria Street station. We talked about the increasingly sad state of the railway and the problems then emerging in the north west. It was clear after a few minutes that Colm approached the matter in a less emotional way as such discussions tend to. Instead, he offered an informed and reasoned take of possible events in the whole. In other words, he had a good grasp of Irish political and social history and specifically that aspect of our more recent history pertaining to the north west. In that context, he considered the loss of the last rail line to the north west as completely unacceptable and vowed to do everything he could to keep the railway open. True to his word, he shortly after became an early supporter of the ITW group. Colm as a person was always ready to offer a kind word and friendly greeting to those he met. He was both a gentleman and a railwayman from the old school with the railway running through his blood and DNA. His approach to the job was underpinned by an understanding of public service and on a number of occasions, he demonstrated a willingness to go the extra mile to help keep trains moving in order keep those who paid the wages through fares content. The railway has lost a first class employee who will be deeply missed by all of us past and present who had the privilege of knowing him. To his wife Ashleen and sons Pearse and Matthew and the wider family, I wish to offer my heartfelt sympathy. Rest in peace old friend.
