OVER THE COURSE of what’s been a heart-rending ten days, we’ve seen communities rally around the family and friends of those involved in the Berkeley balcony collapse and GAA clubs have been the cornerstone of those support pillars.
The whole country has been united in mourning and the aftermath of the tragic accident, which claimed the lives of six Irish students, has re-emphasised the importance of community in times of heartache.
There have been innumerable acts of kindness, goodwill and comfort towards those directly, and indirectly, affected and now a Dublin GAA club are coming together to support one of its members.
Jack Halpin, from Rathmines, was among the seven seriously injured when the 21st birthday party at the Library Gardens apartment complex ended in tragedy.
The 21-year-old remains in hospital in California with his condition described as ‘fair’ by medical staff and Saint Judes GAA club have launched a fundraising campaign to assist his recovery.
Mr Halpin has been a member of the Templeogue club since he was young and has blossomed into a proficient player in both football and hurling as well as representing Dublin at under-age provincial level.
“Communities throughout the country have thousands of Jack Halpins with hopes and dreams of a bright and shining future in career and sport and in love and friendship, unmarred by thoughts of tragedy and loss, such as that inflicted recently on those young lives in California,” a club spokesperson for the campaign said.
A website, ‘Judes for Jack’, has been created and members of the public are invited to donate online while fundraising events are set to take place over the course of the months ahead.
The UCD student, who has just completed his final year of a degree in Commerce, attended St Mary’s in Rathmines along with two of the students who lost their lives.
“Jack, among others of his friends, has sustained serious injuries which will involve periods of hospitalisation and recuperation and recovery, which we hope will be timely and completely successful and will allow Jack to return, fully restored, to the bosom of his family and his people,” it reads on the fundraising website.
The Halpin family are heavily involved with St Judes as his father, John, has coached several of the club’s youth sides as well as acting as a mentor to the club’s senior panel.
“The GAA Club has traditionally been to the forefront in these communities at times of tragedy like this and has quietly and thoughtfully offered help and support to those most closely affected. It has always been thus, and allows communities to show that none of us as individuals needs ever feel alone.
“Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.”
Last weekend, all inter-county games were preceded by a minute’s silence for the victims while Dublin fans have planned a minute’s applause in the 16th minute of their Leinster SFC clash with Kildare at Croke Park on Sunday.
One of the deceased, Eoghan Culligan, was a member of Ballyboden St Endas in Dublin while Cuala GAA club in Dalkey have held candlelight vigils for Aoife Beary, who remains in Highland Hospital in Oakland.
More details, including how you can donate to the Jack Halpin Fundraising fund can be found here.
