Laois Family Launch Fundraiser in Memory of David McDonald

The heartbroken family of David McDonald, a much-loved young man from Laois who died in New Zealand, are organising a fundraiser to express their gratitude to the Irish charity that helped bring him home.

David’s family, from Derrydavey, Mountmellick, are hosting a music-filled pub night this May in his honour, with proceeds going to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. They’ve also set up a Gofundme page to allow online donations.

David, aged 37, died following a short illness on January 9, 2024, at Auckland City Hospital, with loved ones by his side.

The cherished only son of Peter and Elsie, he is deeply missed by his sisters Anna, Lizzie, and Orla; his nephews Billy and Jack; and niece Lucy. Since his passing, the family welcomed a new arrival, baby Annie—Anna’s daughter—who sadly never got to meet her uncle.

David had built a life in New Zealand, working as a manager at Stantec Engineering in Auckland, and had settled there with his partner, Flavio Villani.

His sister Lizzie Kirwan shared:

"David had a great job and a great life, he just didn't get to live it long enough. He was gone 11 years, first to Australia and then New Zealand where he met Flavio. He was lovely, they were happy. David had it hard until he went there. He never came out as gay at home, only with the family. There he blossomed. Life changed for him, he accepted himself.

The last time he was home was for our sister Anna's wedding in 2022. We got to meet Flavio, we could see they were so happy. They stayed here for six weeks, and toured around Ireland. He brought Lizzie's children Billy and Lucy on a 'yes' day, taking them to Ken Blacks. He said he was making up for the times he was not here."

David had been experiencing unexplained seizures for some time, often informing his family only after he had been discharged from hospital to avoid causing worry.

"At a festival on a beach, he told Flavio he didn't feel well, an ambulance came, and he had a massive seizure. He was in hospital for two days and it was looking serious so Flavio rang us. That was New Year's Eve morning at 6am. My mam and Orla flew out on New Year's Day," Lizzie explained.

Tragically, David died a week later. A memorial service was held at Kāhui St David's in Kyber Pass on Sunday, January 14, giving his friends, family, and colleagues in New Zealand a chance to remember him. His co-workers, who held him in the highest regard, also brought his mother and sister to visit his workplace.

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust then stepped in to handle the complex logistics and expenses of bringing David’s remains back to Ireland.

"They took on the costs of everything. They had the expertise, they know what they are doing. Because of that, we got to spend four nights waking David at home.

As much as it was sad and awful, it was lovely. Monday night was just immediate family, Tuesday was the wider family and then Wednesday and Thursday was the wake. We stayed up every night with him. I do say it to anyone now, there's no panic. Keep them at home, once they are gone they will never come home.

We had people coming up to us after his death offering to start a Gofundme, but the Kevin Bell trust said they wouldn't be able to help in that case, so we said no, we'd leave the expertise to them," she said.

The local community showed overwhelming support from the moment the family got the call from New Zealand.

"The Rock GAA did the parking, the neighbours came, there was food landing every day, so much support. It didn't stop until the funeral was over and done, for 20 days, it was unbelievable," Lizzie said.

St Vincent’s Community Nursing Unit, where Elsie had worked as a seamstress and where David, Anna, and Lizzie also spent time working, formed a guard of honour at his funeral.

Although over a year has passed, the pain of David’s loss is still very present for his family. His sister Orla’s wedding last October, which David had planned to attend, was a poignant day.

"It's hard, it will never be right. They keep going. My mam minds the kids, does her sewing. Dad goes about on his tractor, happy when he is busy," Lizzie said.

The family is now turning their grief into action, hoping to raise funds to support the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust so they can continue helping other families in similar situations.

"At David's wake, I did think that if everyone who came to the house only donated €5 it would make a fortune for the trust.

So we are having a night in Moloney's Bar. There will be music by Transmitter from 6pm until closing, on Saturday, May 10. Our goal is to make enough for the trust, but we want people to come out and enjoy it. The music, the food, the drink, because that is what David would do if he were here," Lizzie said.

The McDonald family’s Gofundme appeal is now live, aiming to raise €10,000.

They write of David: "from his echoing belly laugh and his big bear hugs, fun and excitement was never far behind David", and invite others to support the memorial fundraiser in his name.

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, a registered charity, was founded after Kevin Bell’s sudden death in New York in June 2013. The Bell family used the generous support they received to create a legacy that helps others repatriate loved ones who die abroad.

Details for the fundraising c=page can be found here: https://bit.ly/44shixs

Since its founding, the trust has assisted in bringing home 296 individuals, including 19 from Laois—among them, David McDonald.