Appeal for Clara family raises over €40,000

By Rebekah O'Reilly

A fundraising appeal to help support a recently-bereaved Offaly family of nine children has attracted a huge public response, with more than €42,000 raised in the last week.

The appeal was issued following the unexpected passing of Paul Byrne, from Ballicknahee, Clara, on August 24. Paul is sadly missed by his partner Gillian Delaney and their nine children, aged between six and 25 years.

A 'GoFundMe' fundraiser - entitled 'Supporting Gillian and her 9 children' - was launched by family friend Michelle Monaghan last weekend and has prompted an extraordinary response from the local community and beyond, with €42,541 raised through 575 donations as of yesterday (Thursday) morning.

Paul is survived by Gillian and their children Jason, Sarah, Cian, Chloe, Jessica, PJ, Eoin, Emma and Darragh, as well as his grandchildren Mason and Darcy. He is also survived by his parents Willie and Mary (née Newman), siblings Matthew, William and Edel, with his extended family, friends and work colleagues are also mourning his loss.

In an appeal accompanying the GoFundMe campaign, Michelle Monaghan said the family had been left facing both an unimaginable emotional loss and significant financial uncertainty.

She explained that Paul had been the sole income earner for the household, meaning Gillian was now facing the sudden responsibility of meeting the family's everyday expenses while grieving the loss of her partner.

"Rent and household bills continue to fall due. Food still needs to be put on the table," she said, adding that the younger children were also returning to school with the usual costs associated with the new school year.

Michelle said the fundraiser was established with Gillian's blessing to help ease some of the financial pressure on the family during the difficult weeks and months ahead.

"We cannot take away their grief. We cannot change what has happened. But together, we can help ease some of the financial worry and give Gillian and the children some much-needed breathing space," she said.

She thanked those who had donated or shared the appeal, saying the support demonstrated that the family did not have to face the financial burden of their loss alone.

The fundraiser remains open for anyone wishing to support Gillian and the nine children during this difficult time.

To support the Byrne/Delaney family, go to: www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-gillian-her-9-children