Neighbour's fundraising drive for Gerard's family

The neighbour of a Derry man killed at the weekend has urged local people to rally around his family after setting up a Justgiving fundraising page.
The late Gerard Quinn was a senior player with St Mary's Ardmore GAC. He is pictured here during a past Junior Champinships game at Celtic Park. DER3214MC217The late Gerard Quinn was a senior player with St Mary's Ardmore GAC. He is pictured here during a past Junior Champinships game at Celtic Park. DER3214MC217
The late Gerard Quinn was a senior player with St Mary's Ardmore GAC. He is pictured here during a past Junior Champinships game at Celtic Park. DER3214MC217

Annemarie Moore is a friend of the family of Gerard Quinn in Curryneirin and said the entire area is in shock over the tragedy.

Father-of-one Gerard Quinn died from injuries to his neck sustained during an incident on the estate on Saturday night.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His twin brother Michael was also wounded in the incident, but was later released from hospital.

The family are said to be devastated and in shock as they wait for Gerard’s remains to be brought home. Annemarie Moore launched the public fundraising campaign earlier this week on Justgiving.com and it will run for a month.

She told the ‘Journal’ she felt compelled to do something positive and practical to try and help the family in their time of grief and devastation.

Within a few days over 30 people have made donations with more than £500 as of yesterday towards the £1000 target set.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Moore said she knew from first-hand experience, having lost a loved one in tragic circumstances herself, how distressing it was.

“I know the family well and I thought even if we could get half the money together for burial it would be a help of some sort as a gesture of the community rallying around them at this time. Anything we can do to help and hopefully it will take a bit of pressure off, as this is not something they should have to think about at this time.

“I live across the street and it is just unspeakable what has happened. Words cannot describe what everybody is going through. My heart breaks for them.

“Gerard was such a big part of the GAA community in Ardmore and it makes it more heartbreaking that he has left behind a two-year-old daughter.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Some of the dozens of people who have donated to date have left messages of condolence and support for the family.

One of the donors to the Justgiving page has left the message: “Rip Gerard. Gone too soon. May God help those who are suffering.”

Meanwhile, at yesterday’s Full Council meeting, under Chairperson’s Business, Mayor of Derry & Strabane Elisha McCallion sent her condolences to the Quinn family.

Colr. McCallion said: “I would like to extend my condolences to the family Gerard Quinn who was killed in our city recently.”

Earlier this week, Fr. Michael Canny spoke of the family’s “total devastation”.

Related topics: