'We will be heartbroken' - Family of tragic Ireland's Fittest Family teen plan to watch show
Cillian Flaherty died at the age of 15 last weeks just days before he was due to appear on the latest series of RTE's Ireland's Fittest Family this weekend
The family of Cillian Flaherty, the teenage Ireland's Fittest Family competitor who died last week, say they will still watch the show whenever it airs.
15-year-old Cillian died tragically last week and his brother Kian led tributes as he spoke at his funeral mass on Saturday.
Cillian's family had requested that mourners attending his funeral on Saturday, October 26, wear bright colours, particularly sky blue, to honour his memory. His funeral took place at the Church of St. Philip the Apostle in Mountview, Dublin, with burial at Mulhuddart Cemetery.
Cillian's brother Kian said he and his little brother were "best of friends" and that he loved him "more than anything in the world."
“I spent the best 15 years of my life with you. They were the best 15 years I could have asked for," Kian added.
"We are going to need all the strength in the world to get through this, but no doubt you will be beaming down with pride, every day of the week.
"I love you, kid. Rest in paradise and look after us all. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later.”
Speaking about RTE and the family's involvement on the hit show Ireland's Fittest Family which was due to begin airing this weekend, Kian said Cillian was "so looking forward to watching it."
He added: "Fair play to them all for pulling the plug on it, they respect us. They all came out to us in the last couple of days.
"It could come out next week or in six months and we are still going to watch it the same way, we are going to be heartbroken," he said.
Blakestown Community School, where Cillian was described as a “very popular” member of the school community, also paid tribute this week.
“It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news of the untimely passing of one of our third-year students, Cillian Flaherty. This has come as a huge shock to our whole school community. Our sincere sympathies are with Cillian's family and friends at this time.
“Cillian was a very popular member of our school community and we know that he will be hugely missed by all those who knew him.
“We are supporting students here in school while dealing with this tragic event and we aim to send on some information, at a later date, that might assist you in supporting your children through this difficult time at home.”
Tributes have also come from the footballing community in Dublin, where Cillian was a member of the under-16 team at Mountview Boys and Girls Football Club (MBG FC). The Dublin and District Schoolboys’/Girls’ League said: “The thoughts of all the footballing community are with Cillian’s family, friends, and all at MBG FC at this time.”