Books of condolence for murdered businessman Stephen McCahill open in Ardara

Books of condolences have opened for Stephen McCahill in his beloved Ardara.

The popular businessman was murdered at his home in Beagh, Ardara in the early hours of Monday.

News of his passing sent shockwaves through the south Donegal community and wider.

As his family and community prepare for the funereal of the 66-year-old father-of-two, who will be laid to rest on Saturday, books of condolences have been opened.

People are invoted to sign the books at Pearse Memorial Park - the home of the Ardara GAA Club - and at the Dolmen Centre in Kilclooney.

Tributes have poured in for Mr McCahill, who was a long-time community activist and businessman who was the Donegal Person of the Year in 2016.

“The loss to his family, friends and the Parish of Ardara is unquantifiable and we hope that time will eventually heal everyone who mourn his passing,” CLG Ard An Ratha said.

“It was as a community man though that Stephen will be remembered most…since first working in the Nesbitt Arms as a young lad under Connie and Nessa Molloy, he had been a familiar face in Ardara. 

“His work in promoting the Town as the home of the festivals has brought thousands of people to the area over the years, providing employment for so many as a result, and his work with the Town Traders and Awake Tourism was always based around getting economic support for the town so that local businesses would benefit most.”

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

Singer Imelda May, who was in McCahill’s Corner House bar on Saturday night, said she was “heatbroken” at the passing of a man she said was “special” and was “the glue to a whole community of Ardara”.

A man has been remanded in custody having been charged with Mr McCahill’s murder.

Michael Maloney (32), of Loughros Point, Ardara, appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday evening.

Maloney, a musician who has more than 15 million streams on Spotify, was charged with murder, contrary to common law and as provided for by Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1964.

Maloney was remanded in custody at Castlerea Prison.

Mr McCahill’s funeral takes place on Saturday at 12 noon in the Church Of The Holy Family, Ardara with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.