Maynooth Student Dies Tragically

MicraBoy

Always sad to lose an alumni.

A CLIFF fall victim who desperately tried to save his friend was yesterday acclaimed a hero just hours after he lost his own brave battle for life.

Student Alan Gallagher was the second young man to die in the tragedy at Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal.

His best friend, Niall Anderson (21), a popular Gaelic football and soccer player from the Cavangarden area of Ballyshannon, died immediately after the fall on Sunday.

Alan, a 19-year-old first-year student at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, lost his battle for life early yesterday morning at Sligo General Hospital.

He died from severe injuries received when he desperately tried to save his friend after a 90-ft drop to the ocean, family friend Fr Cathal O'Fearrai said.

Niall Anderson died immediately when the pair tumbled 45 feet down a very steep slope and dropped another sheer 45 feet to the strand at the popular resort.

Fr O'Fearrai, parish priest of Kilbarron, Ballyshannon, said after Alan died: "It's another dark day for the community. We have lost a second popular young man.

"It was typical of his great generosity that when Niall fell over the cliff Alan went to his rescue. Indeed, he nearly had him with his hand when the whole cliff gave way."

Alan, from Clyhore, Ballyshannon, was one of a family of four. His father Brendan is an IT executive.

The family was by the hospital bedside when Alan passed away. Niall, a 21-year-old painter and decorator from the Cavangarden area of Ballyshannon, was buried on Tuesday.

The spot where the two friends fell - unprotected from the road by any fence - has a sign warning people of likely danger. It is 40 yards from the popular Smugglers' Creek pub.

Nimrod's Son

Oh, that sucks. RIP, Alan.

*marie*

God that's terrible. RIP

Atrocity

fu*k it, that's sad.

ClareBear

Heard that story, had no idea he was in Maynooth. Very sad.

brian crackout

its very sad. i knew alan,he was a nice guy. we did the same subjects last year and this year. its hard to believe hes dead, i was only chattin the wednesday b4 the accident. he was sayin how f**Ked he was 4 his geog exam and dat he was goin on the piss for the weekend. little did he know what was in store for him.
RIP alan, youll b missed

ClareBear

Sorry to hear that Brian.

brian crackout

thanx claire, but life goes on as they say. it really puts it in to perspective that life is so short though.

MrJoeSoap

He was a friend of a friend, its very sad, especially so close to Christmas. RIP.