Tributes paid to 9/11 rescuer killed with his family in New Jersey house fire

TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to 9/11 rescue worker, Ennis man Michael Glynn, his wife Heather and daughter Tara at a memorial Mass in Ennis, Co Clare.

All three died in a fire at their home in Toms River, New Jersey, on February 27th.

Mr Glynn was originally from Clonroad and emigrated to the US in the 1980s.

Yesterday, at the St Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ennis, his brother John described him as “great fun and very loyal”.

He told the congregation: “All you had to do was say something against Éire Óg or the New York Giants and you would find out all about it.” His brother continued: “Michael loved Heather and Heather fulfilled all his dreams.”

He said: “Little Tara was just like Michael when he was young.”

“My first laughing memory was him tearing along on his tricycle down the pathway between our house and O’Sheas, then doing a sharp 90 degree turn and tumbling along to the front lawn and getting up with a big laugh.

“We looked on in terror at this, not because this happened shortly after he was knocked down by a passenger train. No, this was because we would be killed if anything happened to him.

“That was Mike, he took tragedy in his stride. The same thing happened to him 20 years later when his arm was squashed in an industrial accident. He just picked up his load and got on with his life.

“I can’t remember once when he didn’t have a positive outlook. I’m sure he is up there now having a great time with his family and friends and looking down on us and wondering what the fuss is all about. We miss you brother.”

A photo of Ground Zero was taken to the altar to commemorate Mr Glynn’s part in the rescue operation. Tara’s teddy bear, taken from the ruins of the house in New Jersey, was also handed up. Fr Tom Hogan also mentioned the county medals won by Mr Glynn for Éire Óg GAA club. After the service, members of the club formed a guard of honour outside as the ashes of Michael, Heather and Tara were brought to the nearby Drumcliffe Cemetery for burial. A separate funeral service for the three was held in New Jersey last month.