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The families of a Northern Irish man who died and two of his friends who became seriously ill after a dental tourism trip to Turkey desperately want to take their children home, their local MP said.
Richard Molloy, 33, was found dead Saturday in the Turkish port city of Marmaris. His two friends, Declan Carson and Aaron Callaghan, became seriously ill and were reportedly found unconscious in the trio’s rented apartment.
Belfast North MP John Finucane said his loved ones were in shock and “devastated” by what had happened to the men, who only posted photos of themselves on a boat at the resort on Friday.
The Sinn Féin MP told Good Morning Ulster on Monday: “There is a family here who is making arrangements to bring their brother, their son, home and there are two other families who are waiting for their loved ones to get on. So it’s very difficult, but we don’t have much clarity at this stage about what happened ”.
Molloy’s family is being assisted by the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, which helps families repatriate the bodies of people who have died suddenly abroad to Ireland.
Colin Bell, who created the charity in memory of his son Kevin, who died in New York in 2013, said: “It is a very difficult situation. The young man died in Turkey after traveling with his two friends.
“I understand that they had been traveling for dental treatment. We don’t know how it happened, but it ended with the death of Richard and the other two seriously ill boys.
“At this stage, his sister has flown in and contacted the funeral home that is handling Richard’s repatriation.”
Aaron Callaghan is a former player for the St James’ Swifts football club in Belfast.
The club tweeted: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to former first team player Aaron Callaghan today. Everyone at the club is thinking of you during this time and we have you and your friends in our hearts. “
His former manager, Pat McAllister, said: “I just heard the news on Saturday and am in complete shock. Aaron is a gentleman and someone with whom I get along very well. All I can do is send my best wishes and I really hope it comes true. “
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said it had been in contact with the three families and was assisting them.
