There is shock in the hurling heartland of Patrickswell this Saturday as it emerged local father and hurling hero Paul Carey was killed in a road traffic collision in Dubai yesterday.
Mr Carey, a brother of retired Limerick hurling legend Ciaran Carey, and an uncle to current Limerick hurling star Cian Lynch, would have celebrated his 42nd birthday in two weeks time.
Poignantly, the hurling stalwart who captained ‘the Well’ on their 18th senior hurling title in 2003, was expecting his second child with his heartbroken wife Anna, a family source said.
Family, friends, and neighbours, were rallying around Ms Carey, a native of the Philippines, and the couple’s young son Fionn, at their home in Patrickswell.
The young couple had decided to relocate home from Dubai, where they had lived for the past eight years, in time for the Christmas period.
Mr Carey, who was teaching English and Religion in Dubai, had been making last minute arrangements to finalise their full-time move back to Ireland.
Grieving community
The tight-knit community was in deep shock as it tried to come to terms with the awful news, and family members were trying desperately to navigate their way through the latest guidelines on travel and repatriation in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The family are in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish Embassy in the United Arab Emirates.
Colin Bell of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust said the organisation was contacted by the family, and he pledged to provide any assistance necessary to expeditiously repatriate Mr Carey’s body home to Patrickswell for burial.
The Dubai authorities have informed the family that Mr Carey died in a road traffic collision at a roundabout, however details as to how the fatal collision occurred remain unclear.
“Trying to get Paul home is the most important thing. Words can’t describe it, it’s your worst nightmare, especially when this happens overseas,” said the family source.
“Obviously his family want to be there with him, even to formally identify his body, and have any questions they may have answered.”
Paying tribute, they said: “Paul was a great guy who was full of life, he was a top class guy and loved by everybody, and a great roll model for his while family.”
Mr Carey, one of ten siblings, lifted silverware with his beloved Patrickswell, captaining the side to their 18th senior title in 2003 - a day he starred alongside his brothers Ciaran and Kevin, and, his nephew Cian, who won an All-Ireland hurling medal for Limerick in 2018, appeared as the Patrickswell club mascot.
He had also lined out for Limerick through the ranks, from underage to Under-21 to senior.
“He loved Patrickswell, he was proud as punch of the place as were his community proud of him, he loved hurling, and he loved following Limerick’s successes, he was so looking forward to the Munster Final next weekend (November 15th), and he will be a huge loss to his family and to his community,” the source added.
'You couldn't meet a tougher hurler'
Chairman of Patrickswell GAA club, John McDermott, who played alongside the three Carey siblings in the 2003 County Final said the entire club’s “thoughts and prayers” were with the Carey family.
Mr McDermott adding, “we’ll do everything we can to support them as they go through this tough period”.
The Carey family, he said, are an integral part of the club, with different generations having inspired many victories on the field.
“You couldn't meet a tougher hurler. He always gave it his all,” Mr MDermott added.
A statement released by Patrickswell GAA said it was “saddened to learn of the tragic and untimely passing of Paul Carey in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and we offer our sincere condolences to his wife Anna, his son Fionn and the extended Carey family at this difficult time.”
“Paul was a valued club member and committed player over many years. Paul captained Patrickswell to the County Championship title in 2003. His loss will be deeply felt in Patrickswell and beyond.”
“We ask that Paul is remembered in your prayers and that that his family are supported in their hour of need. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
