Mayo community mourns sudden death of beloved father and husband

The close-knit community of Bekan and surrounding areas is reeling from the sudden passing of Tommy Duggan of Spotfield, Bekan, a man remembered for his boundless positivity, kindness, and unwavering strength in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Tommy, beloved husband of Martina and devoted father to daughters Éabha and Saoirse, had already endured the devastating loss of his five-year-old daughter Saoirse last June. The family had been supported by Oscar's Kids Ireland throughout Saoirse's illness and following her death from a genetic condition that led to cancer.

In a cruel twist of fate, just weeks after Saoirse's passing, the family discovered that their other daughter, Éabha, had been diagnosed with the same genetic condition. The Duggan family had travelled to the Netherlands over Christmas for Éabha's bone marrow transplant, with hopes of returning home to better times.

"We were hoping to do something nice for them on their return," Oscar's Kids Ireland stated in a heartfelt message. "We are so deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of devoted husband and Dad Tommy Duggan who was one of our Oscar's Kids parents."

Tommy is survived by his heartbroken wife Martina, daughter Éabha, parents Jim and Bridie (Heneghan), sister Corina, brother Paul, parents-in-law Pat and Rose O'Brien, and an extended circle of family and friends who are struggling to comprehend the loss.

His sister, Corina Cunningham, expressed the family's grief, writing that she was "utterly heartbroken at the sudden passing of my dear brother, Tommy. He was the gentlest, kindest and funniest person in addition to being a great brother. We will miss him every day of our lives. Tommy is with his daughter, Saoirse again, may his gentle soul rest in peace."

Friends and community members have flooded social media with tributes to a man universally described as "a true gentleman" who always wore a smile.

Barry Mason, who befriended Tommy during their college years in Limerick, recalled: "Tommy was a true Gent... He was always smiling and in top form, he was kind and always positive no matter what life threw his way."

Mairéad McGuirk described him as "a gentle giant, always smiling," adding that "Tommy you were always a ray of sunshine."
The family has expressed sincere gratitude to emergency services and all medical and healthcare staff for their care and compassion during this difficult time.

Bekan Parish News conveyed the community's collective sorrow: "The sympathy of the whole community go out to the Duggan family on their sad loss rest in peace Tommy."

As one friend poignantly noted, Tommy and Saoirse are now "forever together in heaven," reunited in peace after a life marked by both profound love and profound loss.

Funeral arrangements yet to announced, with enquiries to Donnellan Undertakers, Ballyhaunis.