Tributes for boy, 15, who died after starring in RTE’s Ireland’s Fittest Family

HEARTBREAKING tributes have started pouring in for a “popular” teen and former star of RTE’s Ireland’s Fittest Families who died this week.

RTE announced on Tuesday that the newest season of the much-loved series will be postponed due to the tragic circumstances.

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Third year student Cillian Flaherty, 15, from Dublin sadly passed away only days before the series was set to return to screens.

A notice online read: “Cillian, Cillo Flats, precious son of Paula and Paul, dear brother of Kian and Heidi, cherished grandson of Frances, Dolores and the late Thomas, Paul and Mick and boyfriend of Katie.

“Sadly missed by his loving mother, father, brother, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours and a large group of good mates. R.I.P.”

RTE bosses said yesterday: “The broadcast of the new series of Ireland’s Fittest Family originally scheduled to begin this Sunday night, has now been postponed following the death of one of this year’s participants subsequent to the completion of the series.”

The national broadcaster shared their condolences saying: “RTE and Kite/Animo productions wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and friends at this time.”

Further heartbreaking tributes have started pouring in for the young teen following news of his death.

Blakestown Community School in Clonsilla, where Cillian had been in his Junior Cert year, shared their “sincere sympathies” with the family.

The post read: “It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news of the untimely passing of one of our 3rd-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.”

They also added that there will be supports made available in the school to allow students to grieve the tragedy.

They said: “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.”

Local football club Verona FC also shared their heartbreak over the news.

Cillian was part of the Mountview Boys and Girls Football Club (MBG FC) under 16 team.

They said: “Verona FC is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Cillian Flaherty who was part of the Mbg FC U16 team, we are thinking of Cillian’s family, friends and everyone at Mbg FC at this time.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

FAMILY’S FUNERAL REQUEST

Grassroots Dublin & District Schoolboys and Girls’ League has also shared a tribute on Facebook.

They said: “The thoughts of all the footballing community are with Killian’s Family, Friends and all at MBG FC at this time.”

Cillian will be reposing at his home on both Thursday and Friday evenings from 5pm to 8pm.

Walking from his home at 10.30am to the Church of St. Philip the Apostle, Mountview on Saturday morning arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am followed by burial in Mulhuddart Cemetery.

Cillian’s family have requested that people attending his funeral would wear “bright colours”, incorporating sky blue if possible.

It is currently unknown when the RTE show will air, with the new season originally set to start on RTE One and RTE Player this Sunday October 27 at 6.30pm.

Further details regarding the broadcast of the new season will be provided by RTE in due course.

Filming for the show began earlier this year at the beginning of June in Wicklow’s Kilruddery Estate.