AN ELDERLY Irish pensioner who died after slipping on snow outside his rural home has been described as a "gentleman" and "an incredibly intelligent man".
John O'Mahony, 84, died in hospital on Sunday, March 4, after falling at his rural home in Ratheadon, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow.
The well-liked farmer passed away at St Luke's Hospital in Co. Kilkenny just days after Ireland was covered in snow and ice by the 'Beast from the East'.
It is believed that he died from hypothermia after getting caught in the freezing conditions.
Local Fine Gael Councillor and good friend of the deceased, Denis Foley, said Mr O'Mahony had been looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival next week when tragedy struck.
"John was simply one of the best around," Clr Foley told the Irish Sun. "He was an incredibly intelligent man, you could ask him for the result of any All-Ireland match going back to 1953 and he’d know the score.
“Sadly, John was a huge fan of Cheltenham, and it’s awful that he won’t get to see it next week.
"He knew all there was to know about horse racing and was a great man for a tip".
Clr Foley added that Mr O'Mahony was never married and had no children.
"He was well liked in the area. He didn't drive, but he would have had no problem getting a lift around the place if he needed it," he added.
“There would have been quite a lot of snow around the area on Sunday and it was obviously dangerous where he was in Ratheden.
“I’m extremely sorry he’s gone, he will be dearly missed.”
Mr O'Mahony was a devoted fan of Kilkenny's hurling team, having grown up in the Leinster county.
The pensioner would regularly attend matches and go to watch the players' training sessions.
In a statement, the county board said: “Kilkenny GAA would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family of John O’Mahony on his tragic passing.”
Mr O'Mahony's funeral will take place on Thursday, March 8 at St. Patrick's Church, Newtown for mass at 11am.
