Tributes have been paid to an Irish man who died less than two weeks after his family home was destroyed in a blaze.
There's been an amazing outpour of support for the Walsh family in Killeagh, East Cork, after the loss of much-loved dad Brendan on May 1, not long after the blaze that tore through their house on April 22, Cork Beo reports.
Brendan, who had previously been a carpenter and also worked on the frontline as a carer through the pandemic, passed away leaving his wife Olivia and kids Padraig, Sean, Chloe, Andrea, and Barry behind.
Read more: NI mum on sudden cancer diagnosis after attributing pains to exercise and diet
Now an effort is being made to help the family who've been left homeless since the fire.
The much-loved clan weren't there at the time it broke out, and were left to watch as hero firefighters did their best to extinguish the flames. The blaze had started in the garage area before spreading to the home, and now the community have started a fundraiser to get them back on their feet.
Thousands have been raised in three hours by the local GAA club after posting a GoFundMe.
Shortly before the incident the family had hit hard times financially, and let their insurance policy run out shortly before the fire hit. Killeagh GAA have stepped in to try and help them, and there's been a huge response to the drive.
The club also paid a poignant tribute to Brendan, who they described as an "outstanding hurler" having played for them, Imolkilly, and with Cork at all levels.
Brendan was also a talented singer and actor who did gigs all around the county.
Killeagh GAA said: "This family is much loved in Killeagh and surrounding parishes. They are open, kind, good natured and genuine ‘salt of the earth’ people.
"Their world has come crashing down around them in the cruellest way imaginable. They are living through a nightmare. Their trauma is made worse by the fact that they have no home in which to grieve for Brendan or to start to piece their lives back together again.
"The hope now is that we can all work together and, piece by piece, raise enough money to give this family back their home. The target figure is €350,000.
"Please give as generously as you can."
Brendan had won a Junior county title with Killeagh in 1995, and an Intermediate in 2001.
He was part of a panel that brought them into Senior competitions for the first time in their history.
He also played for the Cork U21s and was selected for the Senior Panel too. He was part of the team during the 1992 All-Ireland semi-final with Kilkennt even though he was just 19 at the time.
His children all play GAA too, with Chloe and Andrea on teams in both codes while Padraig, Sean, and Barry are all with Killeagh.
Barry, 16, is a star for the Cork minors and even took to the field recently against Tipperary in Thurles just weeks after Brendan's death.
You can find the GoFundMe by clicking at this link.
READ NEXT:
NI mum of four fighting cancer puts on her dancing shoes for Strictly gala night
Tyrone woman urges people to join Macmillan Cancer Experience Panel
NI singer's musical tribute to grandfather living with Alzheimer’s disease
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
