Huge response to GAA club’s repatriation cost fundraiser

A fundraiser has been established by Ballycumber GAA Club to help repatriate the remains of the late Ian Flanagan.

Ballycumber GAA issued the following statement with the Go Fund Me link: “With the permission of Ian’s family, we have decided to set up a GoFundMe account to show our support to Ian and his family at this time. Sadly, Ian passed away a few days ago in New Zealand. His family, friends and neighbours are in shock and sadness at this news.

“The fact that Ian is so far away from home and his family at this time, makes the situation all the more difficult for the family and all concerned. Ian’s family are travelling to New Zealand to bring him home to Ballycumber. Our community would like to show support for the Flanagan family at this time. We express our sympathy to them on this sad news.”

The local GAA club is hoping to reach a target of €50,000 and managed to raise an incredible €45,905 in a week.

A representative for Ballycumber GAA said that the support that they have received so far is amazing. “We're flabbergasted to be honest. It (the fundrasier) took off. It shows the goodness of people.

“We really want to cover the cost for the family and help the family to get him home. It comes back to the generosity of people.”

To donate to the fundraiser search Remembering Ian on Go Fund Me.

Ian died on November 28 in Queenstown, New Zealand. Formerly of Coroe, Ballycumber, Ian will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Albonie, his adoring mother Frances and father Sean, his sister Aoife and her partner Samuel, and his sister Alice, his mother-in-law Alyssandra, father-in-law Warren, sister-in-law Annaleise, Aunts and Uncles, cousins, extended family and his many dear friends and colleagues and everyone who loved him.

Ian will be reposing at his family home in Coroe, Ballycumber, on Saturday, December 11, from 2pm with rosary at 8pm. Removal will take place on Sunday to St Manchan’s Church, Boher, Ballycumber for Ian’s funeral mass at 2pm with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.