Kilnaleck man killed in double kayak tragedy

The tragic death of Connie Smith (34) from Ardleny, Kilnaleck in a kayaking accident in Waterford last week shocked his devastated family and his sister Breege told The Anglo-Celt that they will always fondly remember "his smiling face and sense of fun". He was laid to rest in Drumkilly cemetery last Saturday, following requiem mass at St. Patrick's Church, Aughaloora at 12 noon. The massive crowd at his funeral was testament to his popularity and the esteem in which he was held in the community and John O'Shea from GOAL was also present at the funeral. Connie had worked with the aid agency as an engineer in Afghanistan, Angola and Somalia from 2003 to 2005. Lacken Celtic GAA Club provided a dignified guard of honour and the Requiem mass was celebrated by Fr. Peter McPartland, who extolled Connie's many virtues including his generosity in working for those less fortunate with GOAL. Connie was predeceased by his late father Seamus, who passed away in 2003. He is survived by his mother Brigid, sisters Breege and Catherine and Brothers Brendan, Paul and Johnny. He had been working as an engineer with Waterford City Council for three years and his friend who shared a house with him, Philip Kelly also lost his life after their kayaks became trapped on a flooded weir on the River Clodagh at Portlaw. Derek Elliott (26) who was kayaking with the men credited his two heroic friends with saving his life. "Really and truly I'm here because of them." Mr. Kelly's funeral took place on Sunday at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Cappawhite. The very essence of new life and death collided in a most poignant way in the Smith family home last Friday as the sun shone on a heavenly day. While Connie was being waked in one room in the presence of his sorrowing mother Brigid, his sister Catherine and her husband Sean, had just arrived home with a new baby girl who they named Connie in memory of the uncle she never got to meet. While there was despair and great sadness at the loss of a loving son and brother, the arrival of the perfect little baby offered great hope for the future. Breege said that her brother Connie was always on the go and was a very sociable person and he always returned home every chance he got, and had a special affinity for his niece Annie. He was a very caring person who hated a fuss. Sean said that he was a great practical joker and was a fine and adventurous man. His brother Brendan said he was very shocked by the tragedy and was struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss. "We were great buddies and we would have socialised together. He was always willing to lend a hand to others." Connie, Philip and Derek had spent the evening kayaking along the river last Wednesday before tragedy struck and they had planned to attend the Cavan Fleadh Cheoil this August. The trio had kayaked together many times. When they got to the weir, survivor Derek Elliott explained that they all decided it was too dangerous and big to traverse. They turned back and pulled the kayaks out. Everyone was out of the water but as they walked through the old Tannery area, dogs that looked like rottweilers arrived on the scene and they were afraid of being attacked. Derek Elliott said: "We ran back up and said we'll go down it. Phil and Connie pulled the kayaks back in, while I stood outside with the paddle in case any of them (the dogs) came down, to belt them off." "Connie went back into the water at the weir and got into difficulty. Philip went down to save him...They shouted to me not to come down." "They shouted to get a rope, but there was nothing around, so I started running. I started banging on doors. A Polish man jumped the gate with me and ran back down. He was with me for 20 minutes trying to get the lads. One woman cut her clothes line and brought it down. I broke a piece off a window-sill, but it was too late. We knew it was too late," said Derek Elliott. Emergency services were quickly on the scene, including Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue and the coastguard helicopter, which proved crucial in the operation to retrieve the bodies.