Nursing home worker who died after car plunged into flooded river was married father of two
Man (60s) also dies after separate crash in Co WestmeathOne person hospitalised after two-car crash in Co Wicklow
Joice Thomas (34) - who had in August become a father for the second time - is now the focus of a fundraising appeal as friends and colleagues heartbroken by the Christmas tragedy vowed to support his family in repatriating his remains to his native India.Today's News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, December 21 Over €39,000 of the €55,000 target was raised within 12 hours of the appeal being posted online as the public were deeply moved by the tragedy just days before Christmas.Mr Thomas was from Kambammettu, in Kerala, India, but had been working at a nursing home in north Cork for 18 months.He lived in Ballynoe in Co Cork with his wife Ruby Kuriakose, their two-year-old daughter and infant son.His young family moved to Ireland last year, and Ms Kuriakose is employed as a nurse in Cork.Mr Thomas arrived in Ireland on a dependent visa and began working as a kitchen assistant at Ballincurrig Care Centre in Cork two months ago.The tragedy is believed to have occurred between sometime late on Friday evening and early on Saturday morning.Mr Thomas had left his workplace late on Friday evening and was travelling home to get ready to meet friends.However, he never arrived - and his friends became concerned when they were unable to contact him.Friends and workmates searched for him but it is understood a motorist noticed signs of a collision just off the R628 road.A search of the area revealed a car partially submerged in the River Bride."Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a car in the River Bride shortly before 10am on Saturday," a garda spokesperson said.“The male driver and sole occupant (aged in his 30s) was pronounced deceased at the scene.”“Indications are that he had been dead for a number of hours.”Mr Thomas’s body was taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for a post-mortem examination.The road was closed for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and has since reopened.Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them."Any road users, who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling on the Conna Road R628 between 10:00pm on Friday 19th and 10:00am on Saturday 20th are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí,” gardaí said."Anyone with information is asked to contact Fermoy Garda Station on 025 82100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."Mr Thomas’s death is being treated as a tragic accident.Friends of Mr Thomas have now set up a GoFundMe page to assist his widow Ruby and their young children as well as to pay for the repatriation of the body back to India for burial.The Go Fund me page states that Mr Thomas began work as a kitchen assistant at Ballincurrig Care Centre in Leamlara, Co Cork just two months ago.“Tragically, on the night of December 19, while returning home from work during heavy rainfall, Joice met with a fatal accident. The car he was driving skidded off the road, entered a river, and became submerged in the water,” the appeal says."When he did not reach home, his friends immediately alerted the authorities. The Gardaí, along with friends and local volunteers, initiated an extensive search operation."After nearly 14 hours of searching, his car was located in the river with the support of the local community. Sadly, Joice passed away in this tragic incident, leaving behind his grieving wife, young children, family, and friends who are devastated by this sudden and heartbreaking loss."We are initiating this fundraising campaign to support Joice’s family during this extremely difficult time. The funds raised will help cover the repatriation of his body, funeral expenses, and provide financial support for the future and well-being of his children."As we know, kindness goes a long way. We humbly request your generous support and prayers for the family during this time of profound sorrow.”Conna Community Council also posted a statement on social media offering their condolences to the family of the deceased on behalf of the local community.“We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of a local man following a car accident. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with his family, friends and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time,” they said.Ballynoe Community Facebook page also extended its “deepest sympathy” to the family and friends of Mr Thomas whilst appealing to witnesses to the accident to come forward."Westmeath crashSeparately, a man died following a road crash in Co Westmeath on Saturday.Two cars were involved in the collision shortly before 2.15pm on the Royal Canal Way at Cushinstown, Killucan.Gardaí said that following the collision one of the drivers involved, a man in his 60s, became unwell and was pronounced deceased at the scene."Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them," a spokesperson said."Any road users who may have camera footage (including dashcam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí."Dublin incidentIn another incident on the roads this weekend, one person was brought to hospital after a two-car crash on N11 northbound near Junction 9 at Glen of the Downs in Co Wicklow.“Gardaí and emergency services attended a road traffic collision on the N11 near Junction 9 (Northbound), Co. Wicklow, today Sunday 21st December 2025 at approximately 9:00am,” gardaí said.“One person was conveyed to St. Vincent’s University Hospital as a precautionary measure.“The road has fully reopened.”Emergency services at the scene of a two-car crash on the N11 at Glen of the Downs in Co Wicklow. Photo: Collins
