Fundraiser set up for tragic Prosperous dad

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family of a Kildare man who was tragically killed when his car entered the Grand Canal near Kilmeague on December 22.

Delivery driver Jason Hallahan, aged in his 40s, of Prosperous and Clondalkin, was taken from the water and treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident happened at Grangeclare West, Kilmeague at around 8pm on December 22 2024.

A Suzuki Swift vehicle was later removed from the canal with the assistance of Garda divers.

Mr Hallahan is deeply regretted by his loving daughter Evelyn, partner Sharon, mother Patricia, father Seamus, uncles, aunts, cousins and a large circle of friends.

Mia Swords is daughter to Sharon, Jay's partner. Mia said of the fundraiser: “I started the fundraiser to support Evelyn with her future, she's 13 so it's just to support her through her future and to kind of fill in what Jay would have done for her.

“Evelyn is a fantastic gymnast, like she was 18th in the nationals in her last competition. So he was at every single competition, he never missed one and he always provided for that, for her training and for the competition fees as well.”

Mia adds: “Jay and Evelyn were exceptionally close and my mum is Sharon, who is his partner. But her and Jay were exceptionally close, he would go out to work and while he was at work he would be ringing her every chance he could get, just to talk to her.

“Jay was really fun-loving, sociable, just joyful. He just took life so lightly I suppose, but in a good way, he didn't take life too seriously. When we were kids he would just play jokes and pranks and that sort of thing.

“He'll be missed tremendously, an awful lot. For Evelyn I don't know how you can put into words how that would affect her or how much he'll be missed by her. She asks him every day, but she's too young to understand everything so it's incredibly difficult.”

At the time of going to press, the GoFundMe for Jay Hallahan - https://www.gofundme.com/f/jason-jay-hallahan

- had raised in excess of €2,300.

The GoFundMe noted: 'Any funds raised go towards funeral costs and a small amount for Evelyn's future like gymnastics and college fees.

'Everything donated,whether big or small, is greatly appreciated by Jay's family and will go a long way in providing security to his daughter.'