A fund set up to help the family of a young Co Donegal nurse who died in a freak accident in Australia has passed its €100,000 target.
Mary Ellen Molloy (26), from Ardara, died when the branch of a tree fell on a car she was travelling in.
She was a back-seat passenger in the vehicle when the accident happened in South Melbourne on Friday. A friend who was sitting beside her was also injured.
Ms Molloy had been working as a nurse at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and her family hope to bring her body home for burial in the first week of January.
A keen GAA player with St Kevin’s ladies’ club in Melbourne, Ms Molloy was a niece of Anthony Molloy who captained Donegal to their first ever All Ireland senior championship victory in 1992. He is now a Fianna Fáil member of Donegal county council.
A gofundme page was set up online to raise money for Ms Molloy’s family and her friends, Aoife Sheridan and Sarah Fitzpatrick, who were travelling in the car with her.
Established by St Kevin’s GAA club, it had passed its €100,000 by yesterday afternoon.
Apokeswoman Mary Grehan said the response had passed all their expectations and thanked all who contributed on behalf of the club.
“The families have passed on their appreciation for the support they have received during this very difficult time," she said.
"We will keep the page running after we meet the target so everyone can contribute to the girls and their families, a long road ahead for all of them.”
John McConnell, a former chairman of Ardara GAA club, said Ms Molloy had been living in Australia for the past 18 months and came from a highly respected family.
“She just doted on her two younger brothers and her parents; they were such a close family. It’s so hard to believe that a freak accident could take her so young and so soon,” he said.
Mr McConnell added that local politicians were working hard to help bring Ms Molloy’s body back from Australia as soon as possible.
