A Co Tyrone family have paid tribute to their ‘thoughtful and caring’ son after his sudden death this week.
Peter Donnelly, 26 from Ballygawley, who had been studying a Master’s degree in ecological biology at Queen’s University Belfast, died suddenly on Monday.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Peter’s father Frankie said the family have been devastated by the loss of their much-loved son.
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“He was a good cub, a great son, just incredibly thoughtful,” Frankie said.
“Yesterday was his mother’s birthday and her birthday present arrived yesterday morning. He had that planned and organised and just put a lot of thought into stuff like that.
“It may not have been anything lavish but there was always thought put into it.
“He always looked out for us, he was such a thoughtful and caring son. He always appreciated anything we did for him and wasn’t shy in letting us know that.
“He had spent four years at the University of Ulster in Coleraine and he was the secretary and a playing member of the GAA team up there.
“He had great time for them and was a great supporter of them. He was very proud of his involvement with that team."
Frankie added Peter had suffered from epilepsy from an early age, but never let it affect him.
“He was a sufferer of epilepsy from he was 11, but he never let it hold him back,” he said.
“It was unreal the amount of knocks and setbacks he got through epilepsy and he just bounced back from it and went on.
“He never looked for sympathy because of it and just got on with life and wouldn’t allow it to differentiate from his friends.”
Peter was a member of a well-known family associated with the Errigal Ciaran GAA club and had represented the club at youth level.
His death comes as a double blow to his family and the local GAA club after his uncle Shaun Conroy, a long-time Errigal Ciaran volunteer, also died suddenly a matter of weeks beforehand.
A statement from the club said the local community has been stunned by Peter’s death.
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“Once again our community has been left stunned on the sudden death of our former underage player, Peter Donnelly,” a club statement said.
“Peter represented the club at every level throughout his underage career and was a member of our championship winning U16 panel of 2012.
“A day made all the more special for Peter as his proud father, Frankie was joint manager of the team.
“Peter’s name was handed down from his grandfather, a member of the 1963 St. Enda Cup winning team and a man who left his mark within the club, the lineage runs strong within the club.
“Our thoughts & prayers are with Frankie, Carmel, Niamh & Ronan and the entire Donnelly Family circle at this time.
“Please note all club activities will cease from Wednesday morning until after Peter’s funeral as a mark of respect.”
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