‘Very affable, with a big, big heart’
MEMBERS of Ballyboden St Enda’s GAA club “were holding out hope” when the news broke of the tragic accident.
Having played from underage level right up the adult ranks, Eoghan Culligan was known throughout the club and very highly regarded.
“We were all holding out hope that it wouldn’t be him when the news of the accident broke. But with way people are online and everyone is tweeting it was just heartbreaking for everyone when the news came true that it was him,” said Ger Flaherty who is the club’s adult football chairman. “He was a very obliging young fella.”
From Rathfarnhman, Eoghan attended St Mary’s College along with his friend Niccolai Schuster who also lost his life in the tragedy. He completed his Leaving Cert in 2012 and secured a place in DIT where he was due to begin his final year in September, after his summer in the States.
“He was studying logistics and supply chain management and I would have worked closely with him in his first year and in his third year,” explained lecturer Audrey Jennings who paid tribute to “a dedicated and hard-working student” serious about his studies. “I found him a great guy who took suggestions on board. He excelled in group work because he was friendly and was definitely one of the good guys.”
Eoghan had recently completed a work placement with Ace Express “where he did great work” and dedicated his spare time to his beloved Ballyboden, his family, and voluntary work in a local nursing home.
St Mary’s College and the rugby football club separately paid tributes to Eoghan and passed on their condolences to his parents Gerry and Marie and brothers Andy and Stephen.
In a heart-breaking online tribute, Eoghan’s girlfriend Sarah posted: “No words can begin to describe the loss I feel, I’ve lost the love of my life and my best friend.
“My heart goes out to everyone who lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy. See you on the other side my boy, Love you forever”.