Irishman who died tragically in the US to be repatriated to family home

Damien O'Brien, a married father-of-two young children, was killed after being struck by a car while walking home from a night out with friends near Huntington Beach in California on July 6th last.

A 21-year-old driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Mr O'Brien, 35, and his wife Michelle were expecting their third child in September.

The deceased man moved to the US more than a decade ago from the east Donegal village of Killygordon and was a hugely popular member of the local Irish community in America.

He was a member of the Wild Geese GAA Club and worked as vice president of operations with TM Grady Builders.

The company has launched a GoFundMe page which has received a huge response from the local community with more than €250,000 being raised already.

Damien is deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving wife, Michelle, (nee O'Connor), adoring sons Oscar and Luke, his parents Patricia and Bernard, parents-in-law, Pat and Patricia O'Connor (Glenfin), sisters Colleen and Róisin, brothers Stephen and Bernard, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, partners, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, colleagues and wide circle of friends.

He will repose at the home of his parents in Stoneybatter, Killygordon from 5pm today (Wednesday, 16th July) until 9pm and on Thursday, 17th July from 1pm until 9pm with the Rosary nightly at 9pm with family time on both nights from after the Rosary and on the morning of the funeral.

Damien's Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, 18th July, at 12 noon in St. Patrick's Church, Killygordon, F93 W2C2, where Damien was baptised, received his First Communion and Confirmation.

He will be buried afterwards in Cill Mhuire Cemetery, Glenfin.

Mr O'Brien's burial is strictly private for the O'Brien and O'Connor families only.

https://rip.ie/death-notice/damien-obrien-donegal-killygordon-599756

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 16th