A YOUNG Donegal dad who was knocked down and killed in the United States is to be poignantly remembered by his family.
Father-of-two Damien O’Brien was only 35 when he was hit by a car as he walked home near Huntington Beach in California last year – just two months before his third child was born.
Family and friends from his home in Killygordon are paying special tributes to him as the first anniversary of his death approaches on July 6.
Damien and his wife Michelle were expecting their third child last September.
Killygordon man Damien O’Brien died in America in July 2025.
The first event to remember Damien, will be held this weekend in Castlederg, Co Tyrone, by his cousin Charlie Connolly.
Charlie said: “Damien was living in America and was a guy so full of life, living the American dream with his wife and two young children, with another baby on the way.
“He was originally from Killygordon and his mum is from Aghyaran [near Castlederg]. What happened was absolutely devastating.”
Physiotherapist Charlie is hosting classes at his Pilates gym called The Reformer Room in Castlederg Enterprise Centre on a pay-what-you-want basis with every donation going to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
Online booking is essential for those wishing to take part this Saturday, June 20.
The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust was set up in 2013 to provide financial assistance to families seeking to repatriate the remains of loved ones to Ireland.
It was founded by Colin and Eithne Bell, from Newry in Co Down, after their 26-year-old son Kevin tragically died in New York.
Charlie said: “The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust is an amazing organisation.
“Last year, when Damien tragically passed away after being knocked down in July, some of the family travelled to America to help and got in contact with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
“They made what was an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking situation much easier for everyone involved.”
He added: “When I had the opportunity to raise funds for an organisation that provided invaluable support to our family, and continues to help so many other local families through unimaginable circumstances, we felt honoured to give something back.”
Damien O’Brien who was killed in America.
Damien was vice-president of Operations at TM Grady Builders in California and was well-known in the area having played GAA with local team LA Geese.
People are also being invited to take part in the Damien O’Brien Memorial 5K on Thursday, July 9, with entry €15 for adults and €5 for children.
It is due to begin at 7.30pm from Glenfinn Parish Hall with refreshments afterwards in Glenfin GAA Centre.
A Go Fund Me page created after Damien set a target of €25,000 to help his widowed wife Michelle, their two young sons Oscar and Luke, and the baby boy who was born in September, but raised US$363,749 (€420,684).