Young father of two lost life when car skidded into river during heavy rain
The people of Cork bid farewell yesterday to Joyce Thomas (34), a native of Idukki, Kerala, who died when his car skidded off the road and fell into a river during heavy rain on Friday night.
Joyce died in the accident on the R628 Conna Road while returning from work at Ballincurrig Nursing Home in Leamlara. His unexpected death left his wife Ruby Kuriakose, a nurse in Ballincurrig, Cork, their four-month-old son Jacques, and two-year-old daughter Jacqueline bereaved. He is also survived by his mother Shoshamma, father Thomas, and sister Ruby.
The body was placed for public viewing at Ronayne’s Funeral Home in Fermoy yesterday from 4:30pm to 7pm. A prayer service was held for Joyce Thomas with Holy Communion offered at Ballyhooley Church yesterday at 11am.
His Eminence Abraham Mar Stephanos, Archbishop of the UK-Ireland Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church, served as chief celebrant for the services, with priests from various churches participating in the prayer service.
Parking spaces were available opposite Tesco Fermoy for those attending the services.
Thomas’s family home is in Kambammettu, Idukki, where the funeral service and burial will take place following repatriation of his remains.
The body was examined at Cork University Hospital following the fatal accident.
The Irish public generously donated to a GoFundMe page set up to help Thomas’s family and bring his body home for burial. The family was relieved to have raised €99,000 in two days, demonstrating widespread support and sympathy from the community.
The tragic accident occurred during a period of severe weather that has affected Ireland in recent weeks, with heavy rain and flooding causing dangerous road conditions across the country. Joyce’s death highlights the risks faced by workers commuting during adverse weather conditions.
The Indian-origin community in Cork and across Ireland rallied to support the grieving family during this difficult time, with many attending the services to pay their respects to the young father whose life was cut short.