The death occurred in Galway yesterday of Dr Joe Costello, chairman of the Connacht Tribune newspaper company, who was well-known in professional, business and sporting circles throughout the country.
Dr Costello (60), a consultant anaesthetist with public and private practices in Galway, had been on the board of the newspaper since 1975. He was renowned for his sense of humour, which carried him through his own recent illness.
Formerly an accomplished rugby player, he lined out with University College Galway, Galwegians, London Irish and Manitoba in the Canadian League Q, the latter two clubs while he was involved in post-graduate studies.
He won a Connacht Senior Cup medal with UCG, where he studied medicine, and later served as president of the Connacht Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. He was also a devoted fan of Liverpool FC, and regularly travelled to Anfield as a guest of club chairman Mr Peter Robinson.
Dr Costello is survived by his wife Mary, sons Dr Joseph Junior and Conor, and his sisters, Ms Kathleen Allen and Ms Sheila Dooley.