Newly engaged Erris woman dies following plane flight

THE Erris community is in mourning following the sudden death of a 30-year-old local woman who became ill on a flight home with her boyfriend from South Africa after the couple had just got engaged.

Majella Donoghue from Tirrane, Clogher, Belmullet, became seriously ill while flying from Capetown to Heathrow London with her fiance, Barry Doherty from Ballina, on Sunday last.

When the plane touched down an ambulance was waiting to rush her to hospital.

She died later in hospital. It is understood an autopsy has been carried out but the results are not yet available. The remains are still in London awaiting repatriation.

In the past few days, people have been flocking in large numbers to the Donoghue household to sympathise with the Donoghue family, her mother, Mary, twin brother, Stephen, brothers, Tommy, David and Brendan and her sister, Angela.

Majella, who worked as a “Talent Acquisition Specialist” at Galway City based firm, Boston Scientific, was predeceased by her father, Willie, some years ago.

Local priest, Fr. John Loftus said today (Thursday) the community was numbed by the sudden death of a woman who was “pleasant, considerate and kind.”

While in Capetown, Majella and Barry visited her godparents and the couple became engaged.

For more than three years, Majella was a valued member of staff at Boston Scientific in Galway where here job title was “Talent Acquisition Specialist”.

She also worked as an advocacy volunteer for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children as well as for the Christina Noble Children's Foundation.

In her earlier career days, Majella produced a doumentary on Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club aimed at promoting Wolves and increasing their fanbase.

She enjoyed sport and was an avid supporter of the Mayo senior football team and the Connacht rugby team.