Memorial visit for September 11 fireman

MORE than 50 relatives of a fireman who died trying to save his best friend during the September 11 attacks will honour his plans to holiday in Ireland during a memorial trip this week.

Michael Mullan, 34, had been working in the Manhattan fire service for nearly five years when he died in the terror attack on the Twin Towers.

He was working an extra shift on September 11 as a favour for a friend The fireman, who also worked as a registered nurse, ignored his unit commander’s call to evacuate the World Trade Centre and went in search of his best friend, who was trapped inside one of the towers. The building collapsed moments later.

Mr Mullan visited Galway in 2000 and had planned to come for a second holiday this year.

His parents Patrick and Theresa, brother PJ, sister Kelly Ann, and 49 members of his extended family are making the journey in his place.

They will arrive in Ireland on Wednesday and plan to visit Co Down, Galway, Killarney and Co Tipperary. Memorial services for Mr Mullan will be held in Belfast and Emly, Co Tipperary.

Mr Mullan was a native of Queens in New York, and had relatives in Northern Ireland and the South.

His maternal grandparents travelled to the US from Emly, while his paternal grandfather hailed from Killoch in Co Down.

Plans are underway to rename a street close to the fireman’s home in Queens as Michael Mullan Way.

The family plans to spend two nights in Galway this weekend.

Marie Young, a relative of the Mullans who lives in Galway, will accompany the family during their tour of the country with her husband Bob.