THE funeral of a 26-year-old Limerick man who collapsed and died in Australia last month will be held in the city this Saturday (October 21).
Alan Walsh, of Rhebogue Meadows, Dublin Road, and late of Flood Street, Pennywell, died suddenly in Perth on September 28.
The young Limerick man’s remains were flown back to his home county on Tuesday (October 17) with the assistance of The Claddagh Association Inc in Australia and the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, based in Northern Ireland.
Mr Walsh’ remains will repose at Cross’s Funeral Home, Gerald Griffin Street, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Friday.
The funeral cortège will depart the Walsh family home at Rhebogue Meadows at 11.30am and arrive at St Mary’s Church, Athlunkard Street, for Requiem mass at Midday on Saturday, followed by private cremation at Shannon Crematorium.
Alan Walsh passed away in a compound where he as staying while working at a nearby lithium mine in Perth, Western Australia.
Last week, Mr Walsh’s mother publicly thanked the two aforementioned charities who helped to arrange to bring her son’s remains home from Australia.
A number of online fundraisers have been set up to help with Mr Walsh’s funeral costs, as well as going directly towards the two charities.
“Once the charities get most of it (funding), I will be so glad, because they are brilliant, so, so brilliant. You don’t think you need them until you are thrown into this nightmare, that we are in now,” Ms Walsh added.
“Alan was only 26, and he was due to meet me in Tenerife in four weeks’ time for my 60th birthday, he had his flights booked and I was counting down the days,” she added poignantly.
“I still don’t believe it, it’s like a nightmare that I’m waiting to wake up from,” she said.
A GoFundMe page established by Mr Walsh’s boss, Derek Hall, and his cousin, Amy Lynch, has so far raised over $85,000 AUD (€51,000).
Another fundraiser organised by Mr Walsh’s neighbour Geraldine Kirwan has raised €1,420.
A third GoFundMe page, established by a partner of one of Mr Walsh’s siblings, has so far raised €1,520.
Paying tribute to Mr Walsh, his boss Derek Hall said he had been “a much-loved family member, loyal friend, and workmate”.
“He was 26 years old, surrounded by the best group of mates on-site and living his best life, with the world at his feet,” Mr Hall added.
Mr Walsh is survived by his parents Anne and Mike, and sisters Grace and Michelle.
