Tributes paid to Dublin boy Cillian Flaherty (15) who died months ...
Family and friends of Dublin teenager Cillian Flaherty have paid tribute to him and asked anyone attending his funeral this weekend to wear bright colours as a mark of respect.
The 15-year-old, who was due to appear on RTÉ’s Ireland’s Fittest Family, died suddenly on Monday morning, sending shockwaves around his neighbourhood in Whitestown beside Blanchardstown.
His parents and siblings have asked mourners at Saturday’s funeral to wear bright colours, especially sky blue, in memory of the young teenager.
The message on RIP.ie said: “Cillian (Cillo Flats), precious son of Paula and Paul, dear brother of Kian and Heidi, cherished grandson of Frances, Dolores and the late Thomas, Paul and Mick and boyfriend of Katie. Sadly missed by his loving mother, father, brother, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours and a large group of good mates. R.I.P.
“Reposing at his home on both Thursday and Friday evenings from 5pm to 8pm.
“Walking from his home at 10.30am to the Church of St. Philip the Apostle, Mountview on Saturday morning (October 26) arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am followed by burial in Mulhuddart Cemetery.
“Cillian’s family would request that people attending his funeral would wear bright colours incorporating sky blue if possible.”
Over the past 48 hours, tributes have poured in on social media for the teenager who was a third-year student at Blakestown Community School in Blanchardstown.
His brother Kian posted a series of pictures and videos of the pair together with the caption: “I love you lil’ bro, rest in paradise”.
Ireland’s Fittest Family presenter, Laura Fox, commented on his brother’s post: “So sorry for your loss Kian. Cillian was such a great lad. Sending you guys all the love in the world.”
Yesterday afternoon, RTÉ confirmed that this Sunday’s planned broadcast of the season opener of Fittest Family was being postponed. They said: “The broadcast of the new series of Ireland's Fittest Family originally scheduled to begin this Sunday night, has now been postponed following the death of one of this year's participants subsequent to the completion of the series.
“RTÉ and Kite/Animo productions wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and friends at this time. Further details regarding the broadcast of the series will be provided in due course.”
His school, Blakestown Community College, said: “It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news of the untimely passing of one of our third-year students, Cillian Flaherty.
“This has come as a huge shock to our whole school community. Our sincere sympathies are with Cillian's family and friends at this time.
“Cillian was a very popular member of our school community and we know that he will be hugely missed by all those who knew him. We are supporting students here in school while dealing with this tragic event and we aim to send on some information, at a later date, that might assist you in supporting your children through this difficult time at home.”
Tributes have also been paid to Cillian from across the footballing community in Dublin. He was a member of the under-16 team at the Mountview Boys and Girls Football Club based in the Dublin 15 area.
The Dublin and District Schoolboys’/Girls’ League said: “The thoughts of all the footballing community are with Cillian’s family, friends and all at MBG FC at this time.”
His local football team Verona FC also paid tribute to the popular star saying: “Verona FC is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Cillian Flaherty who was part of the MBG FC U16 team, we are thinking of Cillian's family, friends and everyone at MBG FC at this time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
