City to raise funds for fire orphans
Brian and Johanna O’Regan died along with their youngest daughter, 19-month-old Niamh, when fire swept through their home in Ballybeg, Waterford, in the early hours of Tuesday. Now several local people have come together to set up a trust fund to support the three O’Regan children. Bank account details and other formalities are yet to be finalised. Others touched by the tragic, accidental blaze are also planning a fund-raising night at the greyhound track in Waterford soon to help the couple’s surviving children, 10-year-old Cian, Briana, seven; and five-year-old Aaron.
Hundreds are expected to gather tonight when the couple’s remains and those of their baby daughter will be removed from Waterford Regional Hospital at 7pm to St Xavier’s Church, close to their city-centre home. They will be interred side by side in the local graveyard after 11.30am Mass on Saturday. Local councillor, Tom Murphy, said it will be a long time before the parish recovers from such a tragedy. But in typical Ballybeg fashion, families, neighbours, friends and complete strangers are rowing in together with support for the families.
