I was quite close to my younger brother, Jerry. He actually helped me set up my email address when all this high-tech stuff seemed like double Dutch to me. From then on, I could communicate via computer.
So, if it were not for Jerry, then you wouldn’t be reading these lines.
It’s been hard for me to talk or write about him since his sudden passing on July 27th of this year. But I recently began to do so in order to help my sister-in-law, Helga, in her crusade for road safety in Jerry’s name.
Sunday November 20th was the date chosen to remember and honor road traffic victims in Ireland. Jerry and his wife lived many happy years in the beautiful rural countryside on the west coast of Ireland.
Even though this is a local issue in a far-off land and it’s a personal family issue for me, I just thought I might mention it in passing. The above commemoration is after all a world day of remembrance for past roadside victims.
The following is a letter I sent to some Irish newspapers in honor and remembrance of Jerry...
Tragedies appear to occur all the time. You see them on TV and read about them in the newspaper. Floods, fires, traffic accidents and such are sudden sad events for those involved and are highlighted temporarily in the media.
You feel bad for the victims, their families and loved ones. But you have a distant and objective sense about these sad events. You did not personally know that individual. There was no emotional involvement or connection there.
All of this has been suddenly reversed for me. I lost my younger brother about three months ago. I’m still heartbroken and grieving. So are his widow, Helga, extended family and many friends.
Jerry O’Connor was riding his motorcycle on road N67 as he entered Ballyvauhan in County Clare when his personal tragedy occurred.
As he was rounding a bend, he was hit head on by a French tourist who was driving his own car, reportedly on the wrong side of the road. Jerry was killed instantly.
The driver was only held in police custody overnight and appeared in court the next morning. He was released on bail after being charged with dangerous driving, but was allowed to return home to France with the promise to attend at a future court date.
That date has arrived this month but the judge, Alec Gabbett, has again postponed the case off into the future. The local radio station, Clare.FM, quoted the judge as stating that the driver did not intend any harm.
Of course, he didn’t. But he is still responsible for his faulty driving and for causing the death of another and should definitely be held accountable for his actions and their dire consequences.
It would appear to me that the judge may be attempting to lessen the severity of the case and kick it off into the future while hoping it fades with the passage of time from the public’s memory.
It will not fade from my memory or from that of my family. Human life matters and I wish some form of justice for Jerry.
Since the accident, Jerry’s wife (widow) has been campaigning, demonstrating and holding several walks, with the help of many friends, along the same treacherous roadway near where Jerry met his ultimate demise. They have been promoting road safety and concern for the lives of local citizens.
All one needs to do to see the danger involved is to look up statistics of recent accidents, injuries and crashes.
There are many: far too many. And they will only continue if no responsible action and mitigation is taken by local authorities.
When contacted, these authorities, county council members, law enforcement and courts express concern, make promises and give lip service on the unsafe road conditions, tourists speeding and reckless regard for safety of locals. Yet, little or nothing gets accomplished but talk.
Local taxpayers pay for road maintenance, repair and safety.
Are they getting their money’s worth? And how many more needless deaths will it take until some meaningful improvements are made?
Promotion of tourism and the funds that tourism brings in is important of course. However, should this be a priority over public safety and be valued above human life and well-being?
I think it would be fitting justice for Jerry, in the advent of the current national day of honor, if his loss of life were to be the catalyst, the turning point and one of the very last such tragic events of its kind.
I miss my brother, Jerry, the joy of his smile, humor and laughter. I’m sure he would be happy if his untimely passing were to bring about a change for the better in the lives of others.
Dan is at danhughoconnor@gmail.com