Aer Lingus To Recommence Repatriation Of Bodies Through Shannon Airport

From: Dunphy Public Relations
Published: Tue Apr 15 2008


Patrick Ryan & Daughter Funeral Directors of Ealing, West London, said that it was now in a position to immediately recommence the repatriation service after receiving the approval of Aer Lingus cargo handlers at Shannon, Dublin and Heathrow.

Since the ending of direct services between both airports, families in the West have had to travel to Dublin or Cork to receive repatriated remains.

"The introduction of this service means that funerals may now take place in Ireland a day earlier than before. Remains will be flown to Dublin on the late Heathrow flight before being transported on the final leg of the journey to Shannon Airport on one of two early morning transatlantic flights", explained Mr Patrick Ryan.

He stated that the ending of the original service had added to the trauma of family members who were forced to make alternative plans for bringing their loved ones home through Shannon.

"There is no doubt that the loss of the repatriation service to the West of Ireland did add to the distress of families at a very vulnerable time", added the native of Cappamore, County Limerick.

He continued, "Traditionally many Irish born people living throughout Britain express a wish to be buried in Ireland when they die. And up until the removal of the direct service between Shannon and Heathrow it was fairly common practice to fly remains over from Britain. Indeed, the bodies of Irish people who died elsewhere in Europe were also repatriated through Shannon via Heathrow."

Reacting to the news, Mayor of Clare Councillor Patricia McCarthy said she was delighted that the repatriation service between both airports had been reinstated.

She commented, "Following Aer Lingus’s decision last August to axe its Shannon-Heathrow service, I met with members of the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors in London. The members expressed deep concern about the unnecessary stress that would be inflicted on family members wishing to repatriate the bodies of loved ones. I am delighted that families from Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Galway, Tipperary and beyond will no longer be were forced into travelling to Cork and Dublin."

"Following this announcement we in the West of Ireland will continue to lobby for the resumption of direct flights between Shannon and Heathrow in the not too distant future", concluded Mayor McCarthy.

Patrick Ryan & Daughter Funeral Directors established the first Irish owned funeral director business in London and the Home Counties in 1971.

-ENDS-

Note to Editor
Mr. Patrick Ryan is available for interview and further comment. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 00353-868534900 or media@dunphypr.com


Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
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Company: Dunphy Public Relations
Contact Name: Dunphy Public Relations
Contact Email: media@dunphypr.com
Contact Phone: 00353868534900

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