HUNDREDS of people have raised thousands of euro to help bring home the remains of two Cork men who died tragically in Canada little more than a week ago.
Friends Cathal Murphy, from Kilbrogan in Bandon, and Raymond McCann, from Kanturk, lost their lives on October 8 in a road accident near Manitoba.
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It is understood the car they were travelling in overturned on a highway. The circumstances of the fatal crash are still being investigated by Canadian authorities.
Efforts are currently underway to bring Cathal and Raymond back home so their friends and families can say goodbye one final time.
Cathal’s brother, James, is in Canada at the moment, representing both the Murphy and McCann families. He expects to return home with Cathal and Raymond later this week.
Back home, Bandon man Ray O ‘Callaghan, a close cousin of Cathal’s, has set up a Go Fund Me account to help pay for the process of repatriating the bodies.
“All the money raised from the Go Fund Me campaign will be going to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust,” said James.
The Trust is run by Colin Bell whose son, Kevin, was killed in a hit-and-run in New York City in 2013. Ever since, they have been helping fund and organise bringing home the remains of other Irish people who have died abroad.
“Only for Colin, none of this would be possible. He took full control of all the paperwork and funeral homes logistics, otherwise we would be here for much longer. The paperwork is just frightening,” said James.
“Colin is just a true gentleman and so understanding as he knows what we’re going through at this hard time. We just want to bring our brother home to our parents, and Raymond home to his family.”
The fund-raising campaign began on Sunday night. In less than 48 hours, almost 200 people had donated more than €9,500.
Cathal, aged 33, had been living in Canada for a number of years before the fatal accident while Raymond, aged 42, arrived in the country less than a month ago.
Raymond, who was also known as Ray, was a mechanic and welder by trade and a former pupil of Colaiste Treasa. His sister Kathriona McCann described her brother as a fabulous person.
“He had a very, very generous heart. He was a fabulous man to all of us,” she said.
“It’s just hard to believe that we’re not going to see him again. I don’t think that shock and that reality has registered with us. For us, getting him home is our priority so we can put reality to the situation and put him to rest.”
Cathal, a former Scoil Phádraig Naofa and Hamilton High pupil, is survived by his parents, Paddy and Christina, and his three brothers, James, Patrick and Raymond.
To donate to The Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund in honour of Cathal and Raymond, go to www.gofundme.com and search for Help Bring Cathal and Raymond Home.
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It is understood the car they were travelling in overturned on a highway. The circumstances of the fatal crash are still being investigated by Canadian authorities.