Guitar hero plays at charity gig for family of Danielle
Ex-guns N’ Roses musician to help raise money over murder trial costs
Ron Thal, AKA Bumblefoot Thal with Axl Rose Eoghan Johnston Danielle Mclaughlin
The Co Donegal woman, 28, was raped and killed while on a dream holiday in India last year. She had gone to learn yoga with the intention of teaching it in Canada.
Her body was found on a beach in Goa on March 14 last year.
A 24-year-old local man is currently on trial for the brutal killing.
To raise funds for her family, Bumblefoot will appear with Donegal band The Midnight Preachers at a charity gig in the Plaza in Buncrana on Saturday, August 25.
The entire proceeds of the event will go to the legal costs of Danielle’s family.
Bumblefoot says that he didn’t hesitate to volunteer for the charity gig after hearing about the tragic woman’s death from his friend Eoghan Johnston, a member of The Midnight Preachers.
He said: “Eoghan told me about the loss of Danielle Mclaughlin and the family’s non-profit charity Truthfordanielle.com.
“We wanted to put our efforts to bring people together in Danielle’s honor and give support to her family.”
CAMP
Bumblefoot and The Midnight Preachers outfit will also host a guitar camp on Inch Island between August 22 and 26. It’s expected that would-be guitarists will travel from all over the world to learn from Bumblefoot, regarded as one of rock’s greatest guitarists. The camp includes trips around Inishowen and up to Emerald Guitars in St Johnston. Bumblefoot added: “Eoghan also plays Vigier guitars. We became friends years ago and through him I got the pleasure to get to know Ireland better. “I’ve been visiting the country for years – first with Guns N’ Roses, then lots of solo Bumblefoot guitar clinics, concerts and acoustic shows, and most recently with [my band] Sons Of Apollo.” He added: “What keeps me coming back? The clown in me wants to say the butter. I always talk about how Ireland has the best butter in the world. We always have a brick of Kerrygold in our fridge at home in the US. “The people make a place what it is. I come back to be with the wonderful people here.” Tickets for the fundraiser gig are priced €10 on the door, and readers can make donations at www.truthfordanielle.com. For further information about the summer camp go to www.facebook.com/bumblefoot.
I always come back to be with the wonderful people here RON THAL ON HIS LOVE OF IRELAND
news@irishmirror.ie