Conor Molloy, the Gilford man whose illness in Australia sparked a fundraising campaign that raised over £35,000, has died.
The 23-year-old, who was an electrician by trade, had been working in Australia for the last two years.
Over the past number of days, Conor had been in a coma ‘fighting for his life’ with his family already having travelled out to be at his bedside.
In an emotional Facebook post on Friday morning, his brother Shay Molloy said “Our hearts are shattered” as he announced Conor’s passing.
He thanked everyone who had cared for Conor during his final hours.
Said Shay: “Our beautiful Conor has peacefully passed away in Sydney, surrounded by people who loved him very deeply.
“Thank you to the staff and Doctors at RPA in Sydney who cared for our Conor with such respect kindness and love to him and our family & friends.
“Conor was the most loving, kind, funny big brother I could have ever asked to be in my life.
“Whoever met him I know will be thankful for the time with him. He was a very special person, a good man.”
He added: “Mum & Dad, myself & Sister thank everyone from the bottom of our broken hearts for all the support from our wee village Gilford, Ireland, Sydney, and around the world for our travel, prayers, candles, messages.
“Honestly we felt every one of them and they will help carry us on our heartbroken journey back home to Ireland to lay our Beautiful Conor to Rest in Forever Peace. Love from your little bro xxx.”
The GoFundMe fundraiser was launched by Gilford Amateur Boxing Club on Wednesday morning, and within a matter of hours, more than £1,000 had been raised.
On the morning of Conor’s passing, it has raised over £35,000.
Fundraiser organiser, Gavin Duffy, said: “Everyone at Gilford ABC and the Gilford community would like to pass on our condolences to the Molloy and McCartan families on the untimely passing of their son Conor.
”The family would like to thank everyone for all the support, prayers and donations that they have received it truly has been amazing.
”Please respect the [family’s] privacy at this time and thank you, everyone, once again for helping the family at this most difficult time.”
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