THE WIFE OF the late Anthony Foley has said the 10,000 signatures on Limerick City and County Council’s Book of Condolences presented to her this week are another reminder of the “amazing goodness of people”.
Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley passed away suddenly in Paris last year, aged 42. He was the father of two sons.
In the wake of his death, books of condolence were opened at county councils across the country, including Clare, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford.
Speaking after being presented with the Book of Condolences by Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Kieran O’Hanlon, Olive Foley said that as overwhelming as her husband’s passing has been, the generosity of the public shone through at all times.
As dreadful as this has been, I cannot help, even at the most difficult of times, but see the amazing goodness of people. You’re dealing with something that is almost too much at times but there’s always someone at your side, some message coming through.
“The greatness of this is really that it’s there for everyone, every time there’s a tragedy, people respond in amazing ways. Ireland is a special place in that regard and Limerick too.
“To have 10,000 people sign a book of condolences says it all about Limerick. It has a huge place in our hearts and even the journey home with Anthony, passing Thomond Park and seeing so many people there, is something we will never forget. We thank everyone across the city and county for their support and for all these signatures. We will never forget it.”
Mayor Kieran O’Hanlon said “Anthony Foley was a hero of all of Limerick and it’s fair to say that his passing was one of those few moments in your life that you will always remember where you were when you heard the news.
“It stopped us all in our tracks. We had to come to terms with the sudden passing of someone whom we all had a connection with, even for those who didn’t know him.”
On the day of Anthony Foley’s funeral, thousands of people lined the streets of Killaloe, Co Clare to pay their respects as Foley’s coffin was carried through the streets.
Several Irish radio stations also played The Fields of Athenry at noon as a mark of respect for the former rugby international who had a huge influence on the sport and its players.
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