Within the space of a week, communities along the Kildare/West Wicklow border are reeling from a spate of tragic deaths. The body of a man from Naas, aged in his 60s was recovered from the lakes near Blessington by Garda divers on Sunday, July 22. No one was sought in connection with the death.
On Thursday last, the community of Dunlavin was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Louis Caplis. Aged 23, the late Louis was a son of Carmel and Martin Caplis who run M Caplis, the Dunlavin Inn.
The young man was found unconcsious at the family home in Tournant. Despite the efforts of family and neighbours, then members of the emergency services to resuscitate him, the young man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Within days, the tragic death of Dave Daithí McEvoy filtered through West Wicklow. Aged in his early 40s, Mr McEvoy was a renowned musician and a member of the McEvoy family, who ran a local quarry in Ballyknockan for years. He was further recognised as a reputable lecturer and expert on stone cutting and the area’s unique history.
The late Louis Caplis was an extremely popular young man, amongst Dunlavin GAA club and supporters, renowned for his good humour with pundits at the Dunlavin Inn, and highly regarded within the wider community.
Dunlavin GAA stated on their Facebook page: “A devastating time for us at Dunlavin GAA - the passing of Louis, friend, clubman and warrior on the pitch, has been emotional for us all”.
Not only did the club form a long guard of honour for their comrade, but clubs from all over Co Wicklow attended the funeral and lined the streets of Dunlavin from one end to the other.
The support for his parents, siblings Marty and Mary Ellen, grandmother and the extended family was extensive. Dunlavin GAA requested that the Village Green area be kept free for family parking with the club grounds open for those attending the funeral and still, cars lined the roads exiting the village for miles on Sunday morning.
One person posted: “Very sad to hear the news today. Such a lovely guy always with a smile when we were in the pub. Deepest sympathies to his family, friends and clubmates. RIP Louis”.
Former staff of the Inn rallied and worked throughout Sunday and served/fed the huge attendance at Sunday’s final farewell to Louis; since Thursday, 1,000’s passed through the family home at Tournant. Another local described him as an extremely good natured and generous young fella, who thought nothing of driving home customers from the village or pub if they needed it.
Friends performed an emotive song in the church at the funeral service and music dedicated to Louis’s memory was continued on Sunday evening at the Inn.
Cllr Gerry O’Neill attended the funeral and also knew the late Mr McEvoy of Ballyknockan.
He stated: “I cannot tell how you devastated the communities of Blessington and Dunlavin were over the weekend. Two very popular men…… I knew Dave well and he was so highly regarded within the community”.
Cllr O’Neill added: “H was a talented musician himself and sad to think, he’d normally have been playing in the Knockanstockan Festival. He ran the quarry at Ballyknockan, a quarry ran by his late Da Christy McEvoy.
“Dave was so knowledgeable on all aspects of stone-cutting and was a renowned lecturer on the history of the stone industry” added Cllr O’Neill. “He was an expert, and sought as a lecturer across the country”.
Cllr O’Neill extended his sympathy to Dave’s identical twin, John, brothers Ger, Kevin and Des and sister Linda, and the extended family. He is preceded by his parents Julia and and Christy.
“In a week that brought great joy to West Wicklow with the hundreds of young people out enjoying the Knockanstockan Festival, elsewhere the week has brought unbelievable sadness to our community with these sudden untimely tragic deaths. As a Councillor for the area, I know I speak for the whole community in offering our deepest sympathy to the heartbroken families. So,,so sad... may they rest in peace”.
The West Wicklow pub posted on Facebook: “We are all so saddened by Daithi's passing. We all had such time for him and great craic when he popped in. Condolences to all his family, friends, and anyone that ever met him. An absolute gent”.
Above the late John O'Neill, Maurice Murray (centre) and Paddy Miley, RIP.
Recently, a reunion of students from St Kevin’s Community College raised funds for Pieta House in remembrance of three classmates from the class of ’98. The former students from across Ireland and the UK joined a reunion night at the Crookstown Inn; even those who couldn’t attended sent a donation.
The students remembered on the night were the late John O’Neill, Maurice Murray and Paddy Miley. John’s parents Mary and Pat O’Neill have fundraised consistently over the years in support of Pieta House and recently made a donation €3,389 to Pieta House, which included the €600 donation from the Class of ’98.
Dunlavin GAA further post the following sentiment and asked viewers to share:
“Please share: ‘It’s Ok not to be Ok’. Rest in peace, Dear Friend”.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends and wider communities of those grieving.
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