STARS of screen and sport turned out in force in Co Donegal yesterday to help raise funds for Louise James who lost her family in the Buncrana pier tragedy.
A golf classic and gala dinner were organised by Mrs Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll, who plays the loveable rogue Buster in the hugely popular comedy.
Although a native Dubliner, O’Carroll has been living in Co Donegal for some time.
He originally aimed to raise funds for the Pieta House organisation, which has centres across Ireland helping people at risk of suicide or self-harm.
It is hoped a centre can be established in Letterkenny.
However, following the Buncrana tragedy in March, he broadened the event to also support Ms James.
The Derry woman's partner Sean McGrotty (49) was killed along with the couple’s sons Mark (12) and Evan (8) and Ms James’s mother, Ruth Daniels (57) and her sister, Jodie-Lee Daniels (14), when their car slid off a pier into Lough Swilly.
Ms James’s baby daughter, four-month-old Rioghanagh-Ann, was only rescued when Donegal man Davitt Walsh (29) swam out from the pier to the sinking car.
Mr McGrotty handed his daughter out to Mr Walsh and implored him to save her before going back to his family who were trapped in the vehicle.
Following the tragedy, a fund was established to help Ms James and her family – including her brother, Derry City footballer Josh Daniels – cope with the trauma.
As stars arrived for yesterday’s golf classic at the Rosapenna Golf Club in Downings, the west Donegal course took on the glamour of the celebrity world.
Former Irish rugby international Shane Byrne was flown in by helicopter while other sporting names included soccer legends Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton.
Donegal native Daniel O'Donnell also lent his support.
Danny O’Carroll was joined by his on-screen colleagues Dermot O’Neill and Rory Cowan who play Grandad and Rory Brown.
His wife Amanda, who plays Betty Brown, sister Fiona (Maria Brown), Paddy Houlihan (Dermot Brown) and Pat Shields (Mark Brown) also took part.
While the show’s larger-than-life matriarch Mrs Brown (Brendan O’Carroll) didn’t attend, he had submitted a pre-event bid of €5,000 for a Hole-In-One Masters Ball donated by Shane Lowry.
Other lots in a charity auction at last night’s gala ball included a Masters 2016 flag donated by Danny Willett, a framed Portuguese international football top signed by Christiano Ronaldo, and a Liverpool jersey and boots signed by Merseyside legend Steven Gerarrd.
More than 30 teams took part in the event with more than 500 attending last night’s dinner.
TV presenter Jeremy Kyle and EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt were unable to take part in the golf tournament but were expected to join Ms James at the dinner.
Guests were also treated to videos of support from Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Brian McFadden, RTE’s Joe Duffy and Mrs Brown herself, Brendan O’Carroll.
