Tributes to Ballynahinch road traffic victim

Tributes to Ballynahinch road traffic victim

17 April 2024

TRIBUTES have been paid to the pensioner who died in the tragic road accident in Ballynahinch last week.

The funeral service of Giovanni Buggea took place at Douglas Funeral Church on Monday afternoon and was followed by burial at Lough Inch Cemetery. 

Mr Buggea (70), who was originally from Sicily, died after he was struck by a lorry in Ballynahinch Square.

His body was later discovered under the lorry about six miles away at a quarry on the Newcastle Road, near Seaforde. 

Well known in the community, Mr Buggea was a former chef who had worked in a number of bars and hotels.

Mr Buggea was described as a “true gentleman” by local publican Kieran McGoran, owner of the Ramery Inn, where he was a customer.

”He was just affectionately known to us all as Gio. All the locals knew him as Gio,” Mr McGornan said. 

“He had been in the town that long he was considered a local. It’s over a week now since his tragic death and yet every day our customers are still sharing stories of their memories of Gio.

“He was often sharing tips with some local men on how to cook good food and was even known to go round to some of the local houses and cook during his free time.”

Mr McGoran added: “The circumstances of his death are tragic and hard to fathom for those of us who knew him. I will always remember him fondly.”

DUP MLA Harry Harvey said Mr Buggea regularly visited his constituency office in Ballynahinch and that the community would miss his presence.

“He had a welcome smile with a friendly personality and he always had time for a chat,” Mr Harvey said.

“On behalf of the Ballynahinch community I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to Giovanni’s family and friends locally but also in Sicily where he was born and brought up.”

Local Alliance councillor David Lee-Surginor said: “Ballynahinch is in a state of shock following this tragedy. 

“It is clear Mr Buggea was a well liked and respected member of the community whose death in such terrible circumstances has deeply impacted everyone in the town. My thoughts are with all those impacted at this time.”

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said: “The death of someone on our roads is always distressing and the circumstances around this incident are particularly upsetting.

She added that her thoughts were with all those who knew Mr Buggea.