RIP: Tributes paid after death of Tipperary man and retired Company Sergeant Paul Hanley

Both within the family circle and outside of it, there was a real sense of shock and sadness at the death of Paul Hanley, which occurred at Tallaght Hospital on Tuesday, June 4.

From Clarke Terrace, The Curragh Camp, The Curragh, Kildare, Paul was a native of Ballydavid, Bansha, Co. Tipperary.

Born on June 22, 1958, to Richard (Dick) and Maureen (née Quinn), Paul was the youngest of a family of 7.

One of his childhood friends remembers them fishing together in the local stream, hunting the fields with their dogs, playing football and hurling, and sitting on Nellie Burke's wall in the moonlight listening to Radio Luxembourg on their transistor radios.

Paul attended Bansha National School and later Tipperary Town Vocational School, which later became St. Ailbe's School. Former school Principal, Pat Moroney, remembers Paul as a talented pupil in classes and on the playing field.

His skills on the playing field in his own parish led to him winning West & County Senior Football titles with the Galtee Rovers/St. Pecaun's GAA Club in 1976, a success that my late father (Larry Quinn) and Paul's uncle was very proud of, as my father had achieved the same in 1950.

One of Paul's team mates remembers his 'sweet left foot' on the playing fields of Tipperary as a mark of his footballing skills.

After leaving school Paul joined the Irish Defence Forces in Limerick and subsequently he was put in the back of a truck and ended up at the Curragh Camp.

It was the beginning of a career at the Curragh which saw him give outstanding service within the country and on peacekeeping missions overseas.

Paul was very happy to be at the Curragh as his sister Mary was living there having married fellow Army comrade, Tom McLoughlin, and more importantly it was there that he met the love of his life Josie (Kelly) while babysitting at the house next door.

Paul was very passionate about being in the army and would talk about it at every opportunity.

He was also very proud to follow in his brother's footsteps and of his two sons following him and also joining the Defence Forces, and of the fact that he had the opportunity to serve with his son on an overseas mission.

You just have to read through the condolence book on rip.ie to see the esteem in which Paul was held in the Defence Forces; "A leader of men, who was held in high regard by all who worked with him at every rank", "I served with Paul O/Seas, a great Comrade, very helpful always", "I was fortunate to work alongside him in Lebanon over 20 years ago, a fantastic guy whom I learned a lot from", "A fine man and soldier in every respect", "A gentleman and a very fine soldier, he was a great sportsman and was so popular among his Defence Forces colleagues", "I got to know Paul very well during the 107th Bn in Lebanon, an absolutely professional and dedicated soldier, who led by example".

In sport Paul was also a great leader and a great team mate. He was described as a great all rounder, who was proficient at hurling, football, soccer, volleyball and golf and was prominent in a number of clubs and organisations including Suncroft FC, Kildare and District Football League, Athy Golf Club, GOMS Golf Society and the Short Grass Golf Society, who have all paid glowing tributes to him on his passing.

Paul had a great interest in history and took a keen interest in a research project on the seven men of the Rathbride Column who were executed on 19 December 1922.

When Paul found out that one of the men was from Bansha, he contacted me to assist him in gathering information.

Paul loved his native place and Bansha and Tipperary were always foremost amongst his thoughts.

Above all else however Paul was a devoted family man to his loving wife and best friend Josie, his three children, Declan, Ian and Michelle, and all of his grandchildren whom he truly adored.

Their loss is immense and hard to take in for them, and for all who knew him.

His illness was relatively short and though serious in nature, the very sad outcome was both sudden and unexpected.

The Staff at Tallaght hospital deserve our thanks and appreciation for the care that they gave to Paul during his illness. When Paul retired from the Defence Forces he held the rank of Company Sgt, The Curragh Camp.

He was given military honours on his journey to St. Brigid's Church, The Curragh for his Funeral Mass on Friday June 7th, with a Piper from the Defence Forces at the head of the cortege. Rev. Fr. John McDonald PP, received the remains into St. Brigid's Church.

With military precision his coffin draped in the National Flag was taken to the Church and later on removal for the burial at St. Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge, where his wife Josie was presented with the National Flag.

The tribute from his military colleagues was an indication of the great esteem in which he was held.

A tribute to Paul's memory was delivered at the conclusion of Mass by his nephew Thomas McLoughlin. Paul was predeceased by his parents, brothers Michael (Cork), Larry (Dublin) and sisters Mary (The Curragh) and Nancy (Galbally).

He is survived by his wife Josephine, daughter Michelle, sons Declan and Ian, son-in-law Peter, daughter-in-law Cassandra, Ian's partner Shauna, grandchildren Caolán, Seán, Alex, Carly, Emily and Bonnie, brothers Noel (Bansha) and Martin (Limerick), parents in law Jock and May, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends, to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathy.

May his gentle soul rest in peace. Months Mind for Paul on Saturday July 6th at 7:00pm at St. Brigid's Church, The Curragh.

Written by Martin Quinn (first cousin)