Main pic: The late Barry ‘Duke’ Breslin with his fiancee, Melissa Taheny, and their son, Tommy (3).
A celebration of the life of a hugely popular Donegal man who was killed in Australia will be held in Perth this weekend.
Kilcar native Barry Breslin (35), an engaged father of a young boy, lost his life in a workplace accident during roadworks in the Western Australian city last Thursday morning.
Originally from Straleel, he is believed to have died in hospital shortly after the incident in Perth’s northern suburbs.
A loving father to Tommy (3), the late Mr Breslin, affectionately known as ‘Duke’, was engaged to Irish woman Melissa Taheny and had been living and working in the country since 2011.
Posting on social media this morning, Ms Taheny thanked everyone for their love and support since the tragedy and extended an open invite to this weekend’s celebration.
“I want to start off by saying thank you all so much for the love, support and generosity you have shown over the past few days. Myself, Tommy and the Breslin family cannot thank you enough,” she said.
“Duke was loved by many, and to celebrate his life, we are inviting everyone to come along to Neil Hawkins park in Joondalup this Saturday from 12-4 for a celebration of Duke’s life.
“Thank you all and hope to see you there. Melissa, Tommy & the Breslin Family.”
Funeral arrangements will be confirmed later.
Fundraising Drive
Meanwhile, a staggering sum of more than $820,000 has been raised in just under a week for the family of the tragic Kilcar man.
A close friend of the family set up a GoFundMe page last Thursday this morning. To date, it has raised $783,000, surpassing an initial target of $250,000. In addition, a separate campaign started by an Australian businessman, Tom Traynor, has raised almost $30,000. He has already been in touch with the family to transfer the money.
On the GoFundMe page set up by the family friend, they stated the money would go towards relieving the financial weight on his ‘utterly devastated’ family.
You can still donate to the fund HERE or by clicking on the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/barry-duke-breslin
The late Barry ‘Duke’ Breslin.
The late Mr Breslin was a hugely popular member of the local community in south west Donegal and played at underage level for Kilcar GAA club. His mother, Mary, is well known in GAA circles all over the county.
Funeral arrangements will be published later.
The following death notice has been posted on RIP.ie:
‘The tragic death has occurred of Barry Breslin following an accident in Perth, Australia. Beloved father to his son Tommy. Sadly missed by his loving Fiancée, Melissa, his parents Mary and Seamus, his brothers Owen (Beth & Hazel) and Shane (Gerard). House private until further notice. May his gentle soul rest in peace.’
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