'Stephen devoted his entire life to improving Ardara and south-west Donegal'

Tributes have been paid to the late Stephen McCahill, who was found dead at his home in Ardara in the early hours of Monday morning following a fatal assault.

Glenties native Stephen was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene after An Garda Siochana and emergency services were alerted. A male in his 30s was later arrested.

Donegal’s 1992 All-Ireland winning captain and Donegal County Councillor Anthony Molloy described Stephen, who escorted him and Sam Maguire throughout the county and beyond, as “a true friend and loyal confidant.”

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“Our community has lost its driving force for development and advancement. Stephen devoted his entire life to improving the Ardara area, and the South West of Donegal in general,” said Cllr Molloy.

“For me personally, I have lost a true friend and loyal confidant who has been at my side since 1992, when he guided me through the aftermath of winning the All-Ireland. Time and time again, I would call on Stephen to assist me in speech writing or public events, and true to form, he would never let you down – he was always there.

“Likewise, in politics, he was the one I banked on and from my first election, he played a massive role in that and every election since, and all during my career on Donegal County Council, he was there to guide and support me. There are no words I can express that cover the void left by Stephen McCahill's passing, it is the saddest of all days for our close-knit community and the surrounding areas.

“I ask for all within our community of Ardara to support one another at this sad and difficult time, to reach out and talk to one another, support one another, it is only natural to feel overwhelmed by the events. It is perfectly natural to seek help and support at times like this, and it is important that those who need reach out for that help.

“I know the McCahill and Maloney families all my life, they will need our prayers and support in the days ahead, and our community is at its best when it is helping one another. The events of the past 24 hours need us all to be strong and there for one another.

“We must honour the memory of Stephen Mc Cahill by being there for all within our community of Ardara , his legacy is one of always striving to improve our area, all of his energy was devoted to that worthwhile cause. Nothing was an obstacle nor was anything a problem to Stephen.

“I wish to convey my deepest sympathies to his wife Marietta, daughter Gemma, son Steven, his daughter-in-law Lauren , granddaughter Mary Kate and his wider family circle, his many friends and work acquaintances. Rest easy my friend – you were the most loyal and true of all.

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher echoed these sentiments, saying on Monday night that “Stephen had a massive flare and drive for community development.”

“The dawning of the New Year soon turned to widespread sadness with the news breaking of the untimely passing of a lifelong, friend, Stephen McCahill,” Deputy Gallagher said.

“The Glenties native had long since made Ardara his home, where he was married to Marietta and they brought up their family of a son Steven and daughter Gemma.

“I had known Stephen through his work, with his community and voluntary efforts for Southwest Donegal, through sport but most of it was through our friendship. Stephen had a massive flare and drive for community development, and his efforts were widely known in Ardara and further afield. In recognition of that Stephen was Donegal Person of the Year in 2016, an award he truly deserved.

“In 1981, Stephen moved back to Donegal to work with Campbell Seafoods, Killybegs, where he was employed as quality control manager. Through the intervening years he had a long association with the fishing sector.

“More recently, he was heavily involved in business within the Ardara area, with a local public house and auctioneers’ company; he had a remarkable business ethic and ability.
The events of the past twenty-four hours will weigh extremely heavily on this close-knit local community, and I urge us all to support the entire family network of the Mc Cahill and Maloney Families in this most difficult of times. His many friends and business associates will need all our prayers, support and comfort in the time ahead.

“Writer and journalist, the late Joan Didion said of grief: ‘Grief has no distance, it comes in waves, in paroxysms, sudden apprehensions that weaken the knees and blinds the eyes and obliterates the dailiness of life’.

“Both Ann and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his Family, to his wife Marietta, son Steven, daughter Gemma. The members of the Mc Cahill and Maloney Families and his many friends and work colleagues that knew Stephen throughout his life.”

Donegal GAA Chairperson Mary Coughlan has known Stephen her whole life, through Fianna Fáil and GAA. 

“Everybody is completely shocked,” she said. “He was the face of Ardara. Involved in all the festivals and in rejuvenating the village and town and providing entertainment. 

“He was so interested in people and encouraged people to enjoy the area and food. He knew so many people all over the country. It's hard to believe - I saw him recently and this came as such a shock. He was the heart and soul of the community. 

“From a GAA point of view, he was very involved in supporting the developments that are taking place in Ardara GAA. It's a travesty and I would like to express sympathy to his family, friends, co-workers and the people of Ardara for this terrible tragedy that has befallen them.”