Hundreds attend funeral of Irish football star’s fiancé after she was found dead in a river following a ‘personal tragedy’
- The 28-year-old’s death is not considered suspicious, police said today
The fiancée of Irish football star Conor Loftus was laid to rest today at a funeral attended by hundreds of people. Police have said her death in a river was not suspicious.
Roisin Cryan was recovered from the River Moy in Ballina, Co Mayo, this weekend after a two-day search involving more than 500 people.
Today, more than 300 mourners were told that Roisin was devoted to her family and fiancé, and was described as having a “smile that lit up the room.”
The 28-year-old’s death is not being treated as suspicious, with a Garda source describing it as a ‘personal tragedy’.
She was reported missing last Thursday morning and an extensive search was immediately launched, involving a local diving club and volunteers from River Moy Search and Rescue.
Her body was recovered on Saturday, prompting an outpouring of tributes from family and friends.
A Garda spokesperson said: ‘Emergency services were alerted to an incident on the River Moy in Ballina, Co. on Thursday morning, January 9, 2025. Mayo.
‘The first searches started on Thursday for a person who probably went into the water. Efforts continued throughout Friday with the involvement of the Garda Water Unit, River Moy Search and Rescue, Coast Guard, Gráinne Uaile Sub Aqua Club, Teach an Uisce and Civil Defense searching for the individual.”
The body of Ms Cryan, 28, was tragically found in the River Moy this weekend
Roisin was the fiancée of acclaimed Mayo County Gaelic footballer Conor Loftus (pictured together last year)
Roisin’s parents Joe and Marguerite and her three older sisters Annmarie, Clare, Ruth and Maeve led mourners at the funeral mass in Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim, where she grew up.
It was standing room only at St Mary’s Catholic Church in the center of the town, where the service was led by the parish priest, the Reverend Frank Garvey.
He told mourners her death was ‘unexpected’ and described how she was devoted to her family and partner Conor, who he said was the ‘love of her life’.
The 29-year-old plays for Crossmolina Deel Rovers and as a mark of respect following Roisin’s death, the All-Ireland intermediate football final between Ballinderry and his team was postponed on Sunday.
A source in the community said: ‘Roisin was hugely popular and respected and she and Conor had status here as a glamorous footballer and a Wag force in London. It’s hard to believe she went this route.”
In a statement, Conor’s club said: ‘Crossmolina Deel Rovers are devastated by the news of the tragic incident that has occurred.
‘Our sincere thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time.
“We have been in contact with our concerned members and they have asked us all to understand their need for privacy at this incredibly difficult time.
Many of Conor’s teammates attended the funeral, along with colleagues from Coca Cola’s Ballina offices, where Roisin worked as a regional supplier planner.
Conor Loftus of Mayo during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2 match between Roscommon and Mayo at Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon on June 1 last year
Illustrative image shows Ballina and the River Moy in County Mayo, Ireland
The funeral Mass began with family members bringing symbols to the altar that summed up her life, including a photo of her with Conor, taken during a recent vacation in Italy, that represented her love of travel.
Another photo showed Roisin and her mother on the beach where Conor proposed.
A coffee cup was also on display as it represented Roisin’s love of meeting friends for a chat over a cup of coffee, while a pair of training shoes symbolized her love of the outdoors.
Rev Garvey said Conor had lost his “soulmate” and that he and her many friends suffered “tremendous pain, loss and disorientation”.
He said the best tribute he could pay was that Roisin had an “inner and outer beauty that was on full display” and added that her “smile lit up the room.”
Her sister Ruth read a poem dedicated to her younger sister, while her uncle Bernard said in a eulogy that her love knew no bounds.’
The service was followed by burial at Drumlion Cemetery in Roscommon.