Community rallies behind young family of cyclist killed in Monaghan collision

Rowell Ladao passed away in hospital after a serious collision in Knockatallon, leaving behind two young children and a wife in the Philippines

A small Monaghan community has rallied in support behind the family of a cyclist tragically killed in a road collision last week.

Rowell Ladao sadly lost his life after he received serious injuries following a collision at Gort An Teannal, Knockatallon at around 1.15am on Saturday, September 21. Ladao was removed from the scene to Enniskillen Hospital, but passed away on the night of Tuesday, September 24 after fighting for his life.

Rowell had only recently moved to Knockatallon on a work visa just six weeks ago, heading to the small Monaghan town to earn a living for his “two beautiful children and wife” who are back in the Philippines.

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A post on a GoFundMe page set up to help fund the return of his body to his native Philippines reads: “Rowell came to Ireland hoping for new opportunities and a way to look after his loving, young family. An unfortunate bicycle accident led to Rowell’s untimely death which we can only imagine is devastating and heartbreaking for his family.

“The long distance between them will mean that his final journey home across 11,000km will be agonising for his friends and family. They will wait for his body to return to give him a deserved final farewell and lay him to rest but it will cost this young family an extraordinary amount of money.

“Nobody likes to talk about money or think about money, especially at sad times like these, but we as a community in Knockatallon, Monaghan and Ireland want to help take this dreadful burden away from them in their hour of need.

“If you can, please donate anything towards Rowell’s funeral and to any future unseen expenses that Rowell’s young family will experience due to this horrific tragedy.”

So far, the GoFundMe has raised €6,995 of the €10,000 goal. To donate to the fundraiser, head here.

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