The family of Eden Heaslip have hailed GAA legend Joe Canning as a 'role model' after the former hurler visited them recently.
The tragic teenager took his own life last September.
Eden, a huge Galway GAA supporter, had turned 18 only two weeks beforehand, and looked up to Canning as one of his heroes.
And on Thursday, Eden's father Raymond took to Facebook to thank the hurler for calling to the family home for a "cuppa and a chat".
Ray wrote: "A true hero and a true gentleman called for a cuppa and a chat yesterday evening it meant so much for us to talk to Joe Canning as he was Eden's hero on and off the hurling field.
"I understand why he is such a role model to young people. Thanks again for your support joe hope you got back to limerick safely."
Shortly after Eden's sad passing his siblings Chloe and Finn, as well as Raymond, explained some of the bullying that Eden had faced.
Ray told Shannonside Radio: "Every form of bullying that could've been done was done to him - physically, mentally, social media and even when he left school they were still after him. He'd never tell us what it was about.
"There were a number of incidents where they would just kick him, always three or four of them. Kicking every week, while standing and on the ground.
"They would put his head into a toilet. He said to me 'on a regular occurrence, a group will get me and stick my head into a dirty, sh*tty toilet and always laugh'. They'd throw food at him, full apples, chucked full salad trays at him."
The family have since launched a campaign to prevent bullying and for further help from social media companies in releasing posts that have since disappeared after they were sent.
If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article please contact:
Samaritans helpline 116 123
Aware helpline 1800 80 48 48
Pieta House on 1800 247 247
