Mayo businessman's faith in humanity is restored after ‘sick note’ received

A jewellery shop owner in Castlebar couldn’t believe what he received when he opened a letter than had been posted to his premises following the Connacht v Munster rugby match last Saturday week at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, writes John Melvin.

You might say it was a ‘sick note’ – but not the normal kind of sick note, and not the kind of sick note which you would throw in the bin having regretted opening it.

Peter Sheridan has been in business at Main Street in Castlebar for longer than he remembers and has seen a lot pass by his window over the years, but this was the first time he got a letter which contained a €20 note and an apology.

The letter writer was a friend of a man who had become sick at the doorway of Mr. Sheridan’s Rings and Things premises, possibly as a result of over-consumption of alcohol on a day when many pubs in Castlebar were packed to the rafters.

The 'sick man' asked his friend to pen the attached note for him, which was forwarded to Connacht IRFU President Jimmy Staunton.

It seems Peter’s faith in humanity has been restored, and indeed I have to say I am very impressed by the man who bothered to take the time to have this note forwarded to him and €20 to clean up the mess he left behind him.

Said Peter in his note to the Connacht IRFU President: “Hi Jimmy. I just sent you a lovely letter I found in my letter box Tuesday morning after the rugby game in Castlebar.

“Some guy had a little sickness on my doorstep outside the shop.

“It restores your faith in humanity and particularly in Connacht rugby fans.”