Fundraising drive for funeral as Buncrana comes to terms with tragic death

Mariusz Ejdys, who was in his 30s, had lived and worked in Buncrana for a number of years.

His body was discovered in a small building off the Mill Brae in the Old Mill area of the town on Thursday evening.

The circumstances are currently being investigated by An Garda Siochana, but they have confirmed his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Following an outpouring of support from the local community and requests to help, his friends have now set up collection boxes at two points in the town.

Karolina Walczak said that donations can be made at the Lunch Box and at the Polish Shop in Buncrana from now through until Monday evening.

An online fundraising initative has also been set up with hundreds of euro already pledged. The appeal can be accessed via: www.gofundme.com/help-with-mariusz-ejdys-funeral.

The money raised will then be used to organise a Mass in the town to give people the chance to pay their respects to Mariusz, and the rest will be sent to his family to help with costs ahead of his funeral.

Meanwhile local councillors have said the community in Buncrana have been left shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Mr Ejdys.

Sinn Fein Councillor for the town, Jack Murray, said: “The community is shocked by the terrible news that a man has lost his life tragically in the town.

“He would have been fairly well known, he lived in Buncrana and worked locally. He seems to have been well thought of, and has been described as a quiet fellow who kept to himself.”

Colr. Murray said that the thoughts of local people were with the man’s family. “This is a family who have lost a son, a brother and it’s a very, very tragic time for them and our sympathies go to them.”

Independent Councillor for Buncrana Nicholas Crossan also expressed condolences.

He said: “Our sympathies go out to his family. This Christmas some mother, father, brother or sister is going to be missing their loved one.”

Colr. Crossan also expressed condolences to the wider Polish community living locally.

A post-mortem is expected to be carried out at Letterkenny University Hospital over the coming days.

Gardai have confirmed that the investigation into the sudden death is continuing.