Ireland’s Fittest Family star Cillian Flaherty’s brother shares emotional tribute to ‘best friend’

Cillian Flaherty’s brother shared an emotional tribute to his “best friend” as the 15-year-old was laid to rest.

Alongside his family, he was due to appear on the newest season of RTE’s Ireland’s Fittest Family, however, he suddenly passed away earlier this week at his home in Mulhuddart.

He was a third-year student at Blakestown Community School, Blanchardstown, and was remembered fondly by his community.

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His funeral was held on Saturday morning at the Church of St Philip the Apostle in Mountview.

His family requested that people wear blue to the funeral mass, with his coffin coloured blue and blue balloons were present in the church.

The gifts offered included his mobile phone that was “never out of his hand”, his player of the year trophy, his football jersey and a family photo.

His older brother Kian gave the eulogy during the funeral mass, sharing that Cillian was his best friend.

“No matter how many fights and arguments we’ve had, we just forgot about it and got on with life ten minutes later,” he said.

“I’m going to miss coming home from work and asking you what the POA is — for anyone doesn’t know POA, it’s the plan of action — and all he used to say is, ‘I’ll just go with the flow, bro.'"

He referred to Cillian as a “mammy’s boy” and remembered how when he tried to joke around with him, their mum would scold him.

“You’d never tell her a lie until I came home one day and had to give you some words of wisdom, because you kept ratting yourself out.”

He shared that his younger brother loved watches and tracksuits and would try to convince their father to get them for him when he was asked to do work.

Kian added: “I love you, kid. Rest in paradise and look after us all. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see ya later.”

The family filmed Ireland’s Fittest Family earlier this summer and noted how excited Cillian was to watch it.

They thanked the team behind the show, adding: “He was so looking forward to watching it when it came out and obviously this happened. The show is going to be out, we’re still going to watch it.”

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