Wesley O’Reilly was one of two men killed in the crash between his lorry, a car and a Bus Eireann bus in Gormanston last Monday – he was laid to rest today
13:27, 01 Dec 2025Updated 15:17, 01 Dec 2025
The cortege is piped into the church pictured this morning at St. Maur’s Church, Rush at the funeral of Wesley O’Reilly
The family of the lorry driver who was one of two men killed in a horror road crash have paid an emotional tribute to him as he was laid to rest.
The funeral service for Wesley O’Reilly, 48, took place in north County Dublin on Monday morning – week to the day since he lost his life in a three vehicle collision.
“If love could have saved my da, he would have lived forever,” his daughter Kirsty told mourners.
Mr O’Reilly, who lived in Loughshinny near Skerries, was driving a lorry when it was involved in a collision with a Bus Eireann bus and a private car in Gormanston, Co Meath, at around 6.30am last Monday. Paul Conway, who was in his 50s and from Tallanstown in Co Louth, also died in the horror. He was driving the Bus Eireann vehicle.
Crash victim Wesley O’Reilly, who was laid to rest in north County Dublin on Monday.
The female driver of the car and her teen passenger were injured, as were up to 10 passengers on the bus.
The funeral service for Mr O’Reilly, who was a native of Finglas in north Dublin, was held at St Maur’s Church, in Rush near Loughshinny – and four members of his family spoke in his memory at it.
His daughters Kirsty and Cody, son Ross and sister Phyllis all gave eulogies in his honour in the packed church. Kirsty, who is the eldest and mother to Mr O’Reilly’s only grandchild Mason, told mourners she wanted to thank paramedics who attended to Monday’s scene – as well as their mother Nina.
She said: “A thank you to the paramedics who were on the scene and the biggest thank you of all is for our ma. I don’t know how we would have got through the last week without you. Your strength is like nothing we have seen before and da would be so beyond proud of you.”
And she spoke lovingly of her father, who as well as being a lorry driver was a keen hunter.
She said: “There was no-one like him and there never will be. Everyone says that we have the best da, but we do. I was his first born and I gave him his first and only grandchild. From the moment I told him the news, he was so incredibly proud of me. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me.
“He was the proudest grandad and loved Mason more than anything. My da was my best friend. I will forever cherish all the time we spent together. I will never stop talking about my da for the rest of my life. I have never met a more hardworking man in my life. He was so selfless, he had a heart of gold.
“Everything he did was for me, my ma, Cody, Ross and Mason. He had a passion for hunting. Being outdoors with his gun was his happy place. When we miss him now, all that we have to think about is that he is out hunting and we will wonder what he will get. If love could have saved my da, he would have lived forever. I know he will always be with us through our lives.
The cortege is piped into the church as mourners line the streets
“I am so proud to be your daughter. I am so proud that Wes O’Reilly is my da. I love you forever, da.”
Mr O’Reilly’s second daughter Cody also paid tribute to him. And she remembered the times he took her hunting. She said: “His life was nothing but extraordinary.
“Our da was big into hunting and ever since I could walk, I was out shooting with my da, whether it be a deer, a pheasant, or whatever came in front of the barrel of the gun. He would do the same thing every time. He would shoot it, wait for it to drop, then turn to me with the biggest smile on his face, followed by him giving me a fist bump.”
Cody added: “I could talk about my da forever and I still would not be finished talking. He really was the best. He was my best friend and he will continue to be my best friend and he will continue to be my best friend guiding me through his new life. I love you always, da.”
Mr O’Reilly’s son Ross also spoke to the mourners. He said: “He was one of a kind and I am proud to be able to call him my da.
“If it was your first time meeting my da, the first thing you would notice from a mile away was the big, bright, loving smile on his face. The saying a jack of all trades was created for my da. He really was someone that could do it all, from being an electrician all the way to being a carpenter. He knew exactly what he was doing and taught me so much.
The remains of Mr O’Reilly are carried into St. Maur’s Church
“I would do anything to be half the man he was. I have countless memories with my dad and I could keep you here all day, When I was younger, I used to live hunting rabbits with my dad. I remember one time he shot a white rabbit and we thought ‘perfect, that’s dinner sorted’. He came up with the best idea of cooking Kentucky Fried Rabbit and we both loved it.
“When I was seven, I begged and begged for GTA5, he said no, but introduced me to the real GTA, the Getaway. This was the real GTA in his eyes and I do agree with him. I would do anything in this world to have one last sit down with my dad, playing the PS2, doing one last mission together.”
He added: “This is a message to my da: Hi da, I know you are out shooting in the mountains and I can’t wait to see what you come back with.
“I know it is time for me to step up and be half the man you were. I know how happy and proud you were of me when I got that apprenticeship. One promise I can make to you da, is that I will make you proud and finish my apprenticeship. I can’t wait for us to reunite and play the Getaway together. Until then, da, you keep shooting away. See you on the other side. Love you, da.”
And Mr O’Reilly’s sister Phyllis was the last to speak at the service. She described her brother as a kind, caring, gentle soul whose presence made life warmer for everyone who knew him.
She said: “Family meant everything to you. You and Nina shared 30 years together and you were incredibly proud of your three children, Kirsty, Cody and Ross. Becoming a grandad to little Mason brought you new joy that lit up your face a filled your heart.” She added: “You made life better simply by being in it. Your kindness, your love and your warmth will stay with us forever.
“Wes, I will miss you beyond belief. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to you. Thank you for being my brother, thank you for always having my back and being there for me. I will love you till my last breath. Goodnight, Wes. God bless, love you till we meet again.”
The remains of Mr O’Reilly are being laid to rest today at Whitestown Cemetery in Rush. Mr Conway was laid to rest in Tallanstown on Saturday.
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