Community support for Ryan Doyle

Community support for Ryan Doyle

8 April 2015

A YOUNG Leitrim man who was tragically killed in Australia in November 2012 has left behind a legacy for other families traumatised by long-distance bereavement.

Ryan Doyle was just 25 when he died following a night out with friends in Perth in Western Australia.

He was one of three brothers who had left home in search of work and a better lifestyle as the recession began to affect local employment. A member of the St Mary’s gaelic football team, which lost 14 members to Australia through an exodus of young tradesmen in 2009, Ryan and brothers Ronan and Kevin had featured in the Down Recorder at that time talking about their hope for better opportunity abroad.

Ryan’s unexpected death devastated his family and the wider Leitrim community, which responded to the news by launching a massive fundraising drive in their support.

Over £70,000 raised in Ireland at that time has now been presented by Ryan’s grateful family, including his parents Willie and Jeanette and siblings Kieran and Claire, to The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (kevinbellrepatriationtrust.com), which aims to alleviate the financial hardship faced by families requiring the repatriation of a loved one following a tragic bereavement. 

Ronan and Kevin have also donated a further $30,000 AUD to The Claddagh Association in Perth, which supported Ryan’s family following his death (www.claddagh.org.au). They made this presentation on what would have been Ryan’s 26th birthday to remember their brother.

Explaining the Doyle’s decision to present the money to the two charities, Jeanette Doyle says their immediate concern after learning of his tragic death was to have him returned home as soon as possible.

As it was at first unclear, for legal reasons, how long his repatriation would take Jeanette said the support received from family, parish priest Fr. Peter McNeill, the community at home and beyond during this time of uncertainty was “incredible.”

“Many simply wanted to know what they could do to help. There were many offers to fundraise,” she recalls.

“It was agreed to allow people to make donations and this happened both at home and in Australia.

“Our local GAA club, Liatriom Fontenoys, organised a night to receive money and sign books of condolence.

“Many people and groups handed donations to the club and our home, including other GAA clubs in the county and beyond and many local Christian churches.”

Despite the huge effort, which included personal support from the Irish ambassador, it was three “long heartbreaking weeks” before Ryan was back home.

Jeanette says her family’s trauma was compounded throughout this time by the fact that Ronan and Kevin remained in Australia because of their desire to accompany Ryan home.

“These young people in their 20s had to cope with the loss of their brother and close friend,” she said.

“In the hours, days and weeks following Ryan’s death, his brothers and many close friends received unfailing support from the Claddagh Association in Perth, which provides emotional and financial support to the Irish community in times of tragedy and crisis.”

Although the Ryan Doyle Fund was established at this time, Jeanette explains that the “long road of grief”, which included a court case involving Ryan’s taxi driver on the night he died, led to them delaying their decision about what to do with the money raised.

Following an emotional visit to Australia last summer, they decided to present the rest of the money to The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

“Ryan would be so proud to know that money raised in his name would go to help other families in their time of trauma and crisis,” said Jeanette.

“We, the Doyle family, wish to thank all the people who have supported us since the time of Ryan’s death.

“Their generosity and the support shown to us will never be forgotten.

“It is hoped that your generosity at our time of bereavement will ease the burden for other families who find themselves in a similar situation to us.”