A family's Anguish
The devastated mother of 25 year-old Martin Gallagher, who was killed in a road traffic collision on Saturday night, was told she should not see her son because he was so badly injured.
Heartbroken mother Elizabeth Gallagher said the last time she saw her son he was sitting eating his dinner before going out to celebrate Halloween in his Buzz Lightyear costume.
Martin, of Sandale Park, was killed in the early hours of Sunday morning on Racecourse Road as he walked home with friends.
Speaking to the Journal yesterday Mrs Gallagher said: "We didn't even get to see him. He was that badly injured. We didn't even get to say goodbye. We went up to Belfast to see him but they advised us not to see him. The police officer said if it was his son he wouldn't want to see him.
"It is just not getting to say cheerio or to touch him. You are just going round the house and you are grand one minute and the next you are crying.
"The bedroom is just his - his smell, clothes and everything are still there, he is still there, he is still there."
Mrs Gallagher recalled her last moments spent with her son.
"I go to 6pm Mass on Saturday and Martin came in in a Buzz Lightyear suit and we were just carrying on. He then took it off and we had a bit of banter about it. We left him eating his tea and went out."
Martin's father, also called Martin, said his son was a well-liked person who loved football and was a keen runner with Foyle Valley Athletics Club. "He was such a soft person and everyone liked him", he said. Mrs Gallagher added: "And when he had a couple drinks in him he was the life and soul of the party. It is hard to understand. It is just a waste of life."
Tributes have been paid to Martin, who also leaves behind two sisters, Michelle and Anne, and two brothers Richard and Ryan.
Joe Morrison, from Foyle Valley Athletics Club, said Martin was a great role model for young people in Derry. He had run lots of times for the club, in his six years as a member, and had won a number of awards and trophies.
Mr Morrison said: "We are all shocked a devastated and are all struggling to come to terms with what has happened. We would send out our heartfelt condolences to the Gallagher family at this terribly tragic time."
Club chairman, Gabriel Bell, described him as someone who had been "really well-liked and up for a laugh - but when it came to training, he was really, really serious."
"He would have trained three days a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturday mornings, no matter where it was, there were no complaints," he said.
Martin's body was expected to return home following a post-mortem examination yesterday. A funeral Mass will be held at St Brigid's, Carnhill, at 9.30am tomorrow, November 4.
A 22 year-old man has been arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision involving a black VW Passat to contact them on 0845 600 8000.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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