Family and friends travelled from near and far to bid a fond farewell to Eamon Donegan, a hugely popular Enniskillen man, who was laid to rest last weekend.

The well-known figure, who was always known as “Dooney”, late of Windmill Heights, where he had lived for the best part of his life, passed away peacefully in the South West Acute Hospital on Thursday, November 2, after a short illness. He was 48.

A son of the late John and Maura Donegan, he was born on October 27, 1969, in Darling Street, and then his family moved to Castle Park, Enniskillen. When Dooney was six years old, the Donegans moved to 57 Windmill Heights, being one of the first families to live there.

He was educated at St. Michael’s Primary School and St. Joseph’s College, before doing catering at Enniskillen Technical College.
During his career, he worked in Whaley’s Bakery, Leslie’s Bakery and a hotel in Clones. He went to London for a time where he trained as a joiner.

He came home from London and was injured in a motorbike accident in May 1990 which left him paralysed from the chest down. Dooney spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair - 27 years, which he accepted 100 per cent. Family and friends were very supportive and treated him no differently.

Dooney then trained in computers and taught adults in computers. In 1999 he went to Pittsburgh for 13 weeks where he taught adult students. He came back to Fermanagh and continued to teach in Portadown and Belfast. Due to ill health he stopped travelling and spent his time around home.

He maintained his independence at all times and lived independently in his own home and drove his own car.
Dooney loved his holidays and he loved attending U2 concerts, the most recent one having been in Dublin in July past.

He was a keen Fermanagh GAA supporter and would have gone to most games, bringing his nephews with him.

Described as a big Manchester United supporter, he was a member of the Man. United Supporters’ Club, Fermanagh branch, and would have gone to Old Trafford on a regular basis, again bringing his nephews with him.

He was very fond of Lough Erne and had a small cruiser, which he often took out on the lake.

An outgoing figure, Dooney did pub quizzes for charity, and different people would have asked him to be a quiz master.

He enjoyed a huge circle of friends from his school days onwards, and according to his sister Edel “his whole life revolved around family and friends”.

His family said he had only been sick for about eight weeks and was determined to overcome it.

They explained that he was being treated for a cancer illness but died from an unrelated brain haemorrhage.

His unexpected passing on Thursday, November 2, came as “a massive shock” to his family and friends, said Edel.

And his siblings, in a tribute to their brother this week, said “his accident or his illness never held him back.”

His widely attended funeral mass, which was held last Saturday morning, November 4, in St. Michael’s Church was celebrated by Fr. Raymond Donnelly. Family and friends were involved in the service, which has been described as a “brilliant” send off for Dooney. Burial was at Cross Cemetery with his parents.

Dooney is survived by his brother John and wife Siobhan; by his sister Edel and partner Paul; and by his sister Brenda. He leaves four nephews Gerard, Nathan, Shane and J.P.

Also surviving him are his aunts, uncles and cousins on the Donegan and Scallon sides and his numerous friends from all over the country, who travelled from far and wide to pay their respects.

The funeral arrangements were by Funeral Director John McKeegan, Enniskillen.