Tragic Swinford student brought home for burial

SADLY MISSED?The late Jason McNulty

Tragic Swinford student brought home for burial


Áine Ryan

‘POPULAR, pleasant and hardworking’ is how one former teacher described tragic Jason McNulty, the Swinford student whose body was found on a Galway beach at the weekend.
As the family and friends of this tightly-knit east Mayo community prepares for his funeral service later this week, his former teacher told The Mayo News last night that: “Jason was a very popular pupil with both his classmates and teachers alike. He was a very pleasant hardworking lad who took part in many extra-curricular activities.”   
Today his many friends will gather at his home in Swinford, with his devastated family, to say a final farewell to the much-loved 25-year-old whose body was found at Roscarm, Galway city, on Saturday last.
A GMIT student who was living in Castlebar, Jason had travelled to Galway for an unofficial Rag Week and was last seen on Wednesday last (February 18) when he left the Connacht Hotel at 6am after taking part in unofficial Rag Week celebrations. He had been out socialising with friends before his disappearance.
A massive search was mobilised, with the help of social media, after his disappearance and his body was found three days later on the coastline at Roscam, close to the hotel, at Renmore.

Heartfelt tribute
In the hours after the grim discovery, his sister, Leonie, posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, which stated: “On behalf of myself and my family I’d like to thank all those who came to search for Jason over the past few days. Jason was found this afternoon, and we will be bringing him home in the coming days. A big thanks to everyone for their support and their continued support over the days to come. We are truly devastated, RIP Jason xx”
His heartbroken brother, Steven reiterated his sister’s sentiments. He said the family was glad that at least his body had been found and expressed his gratitude for the huge support from people who helped to search for him.
Speaking to The Irish Mirror, he said: “What do you say really? We’re thankful we have him back. We’re thankful to everyone who came out. It was really humbling to see the amount of people who were there. We’re just happy to have him back. We know where he is now.
“There’s not much I can say. All I want to say is we can’t thank anyone enough who showed up and searched for him.”
Jason is reposing at his home today (Tuesday), from 4pm, until 8pm on Wednesday evening.
The Requiem Mass will be on Thursday in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Swinford at 12pm with the funeral proceeding to Kilconduff Cemetery. Please note the house is private on Thursday morning.