Barry Daly cherished his family and took huge pride in working hard to look after them

12:24, 03 Nov 2025Updated 20:08, 03 Nov 2025

(Image: Suzie Sexton/Katie O’Reilly/GoFundMe)

A North Cork community has rallied together in support for a family who have faced devastating heartache and tragedy after the death of a dad-of-four last month.

Barry Daly from Doneraile was brutally killed in a violent assault last month. The 44-year-old postman was discovered unresponsive outside his family home in Rockview Terrace on October 12. Gardaí believe he was violently assaulted on his way home from a night out, and three people, including two teenagers, have since appeared in court over his death.

Barry, who is survived by his partner Katie O’Reilly and their four sons, was the primary provider of the household. He cherished his family and took huge pride in working hard to look after them. Barry doted on his four boys, Jayden (17), Jaxon (10), Archie (9), and Bodhi (2), and his death has left the young family “with nothing.”

A sister of Katie and auntie of Barry’s sons explained, “Barry was the main provider, and now she has nothing”, and told CorkBeo how a GoFundMe page has been set up by a family friend to support the Dalys through such a tragic time – especially to help with the medical care of 10-year-old Jaxon, who has a brain injury.

Friend Suzie Sexton organised the online fundraiser, which has received over €19k in donations in just 48 hours. She wrote how the death of her dear friend has “shattered” the family’s world. Katie “lost the love of her life and her best friend,” she said, and her four kids have “lost their devoted dad.”

Barry Daly was attacked outside his home in Rockview Terrace in Doneraile

Barry was known as a dedicated partner, dad and worker who “loved” his job with An Post. Suzie wrote how he “took immense pride in providing for his family.” She described: “It’s impossible to comprehend the pain that Katie and the boys are enduring” and shared how the family are having to cope without Barry.

Jaxon, who is now 10, was rushed to the intensive care unit at just three days old and diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. It turned the couple’s world “upside down.” While Jaxon is a “bright, happy and energetic little boy,” the illness left him with brain damage, causing speech and learning difficulties, and he will need ongoing medical and support care for the rest of his life, including developmental assessments and speech and language therapy.

Suzie explained: “Now, as Katie faces the heartbreaking loss of Barry while continuing to care for their boys, the road ahead will be unimaginably difficult. As Barry was the main provider for his family, we are hoping to offer some support through this GoFundMe.

” Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help secure the boys’ future,” she added, “from ongoing medical care for Jaxon to future education costs for the other boys. Your kindness would mean the world to Katie and her family, and we would be deeply grateful for any support you can give.”

See the GoFundMe here.