‘If he had to be taken, then for him it would have been Donegal’

The man who tragically lost his life in Bundoran has been named as the rock singer Jock McDonald. 

The 69-year-old was involved in a “freak swimming accident” on Saturday evening and was taken from the water by the RNLI and then rushed to Sligo University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. 

McDonald, whose real name was Patrick O’Donnell, spent most of his time in Donegal and Glasgow. "He was more than a brother to me. I’m heartbroken, but if he had to be taken, then for him it would have been Donegal with our mum and Dad,” brother Gerry O’Donnell posted.

McDonald is the lead singer and founder of the Bollock Brothers, which was formed in 1979. Drummer Pat Pattyn shared: “It is with great sadness in my heart, I have to bring you this terrible news. Sadly, our singer Jock McDonald has died in Ireland, apparently in a freak swimming accident.

“His children asked me to tell you all via this way, his family and all the Bollock Brothers are in shock, we are going to try and give this a place, but that won't be easy. Rest in peace, my friend … I will miss you.”

“We would like to remember the Late Jock McDonald, who has sadly died in Donegal in the last few days,”  the Rory Gallagher International Festival posted. “Jock was on one of his many visits to Ballyshannon and always loved his Donegal heritage. 

“Jock, front man with the famous Bollock Brothers, who performed at the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival and a renowned Punk Band that toured throughout the World. We knew Jock very well; he was in Ballyshannon this weekend, home to support Donegal and sadly died suddenly. 

“The music world will not be the same without Jock McDonald, one of the great characters that I got to know through his many visits to Ballyshannon. We extend our sympathy to Jock's Family - Kilien, Maria and extended family, his band colleagues, his wide circle of friends and to his very good friend here in Ballyshannon, Patrick McGahern. This photo of Jock at the Rory Gallagher Statue was taken by Patrick this week.”

“It is with sadness that we learned today of the death of Jock McDonald, charismatic singer of The Bollock Brothers,” McDonald’s friend Fabian Barock shared. “We will remember you in the Barock, your poster will remain. We will remember you for your kindness, your friendliness, your love for Belgium and Germany, your love of football and your involvement in punk since its very beginnings. Rest in peace and thank you.”