GAA club leads tributes to young Irishman struck and…

GAA club leads tributes to young Irishman struck and killed by train in America

Heartbreaking tributes are being paid to a young Irishman who died after being struck by a train in America.

He has been named locally as Anthony Mulhearn, aged 24, from Mullinavat in Co Kilkenny.

It’s understood he had been staying on a visa in the Spring Lake borough of New Jersey.

NJ Transit spokeswoman Anjali Hemphill told local media he “was struck and killed by a northbound NJ Transit train just south of the borough train station” around 11.50pm US time last Thursday.

She told the Asbury Park Press: “The train had left the Bay Head station at 11.34pm and was headed to Long Branch. It was the last train from Bay Head to Long Branch for the day. None of the six people aboard the train were injured.”

Mullinavat GAA club is among those paying tribute to the young man. They posted on social media: “Anthony Mulhearn R.I.P. On behalf of all involved in Mullinavat GAA we wish to offer sincere condolences to both the Mulhearne and Wall families on their sad loss. Particularly to Niall and Josie, sincere sympathy to you and family on the sad loss of your son from all in the GAA Club.”

His former school, Good Counsel College in New Ross, described him as “always quiet, polite and courteous”. A spokesperson said: "It is with sadness we learn of the death of past pupil, Anthony Mulhearn. Always quiet, polite and courteous, Anthony will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our sympathies to his parents, his brothers and all the Mulhearn family. At dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

A member of Waterford Youth Arts, which he was involved in, remembered him as a “wonderful person”. They said: “I was deeply saddened and troubled hear of the untimely death of Anthony Mulhearn at the young age of 24. I was very lucky to have known and worked with Anthony, he was a wonderful person.”

Many people have also offered their condolences on his online death notice, which reads: “We are very saddened to announce the passing of our much loved son and brother, who died on Thursday, December 15, aged 24 years, suddenly in New Jersey.

“Anthony will be sadly missed by his heartbroken parents Niall and Josie (nee Wall), brothers Thomas, Pat and Niall, aunts, uncles, godfather, godmother, extended family, neighbours and friends. May Anthony rest in peace.”