AN ENNISKILLEN man tragically passed away before he could return from Thailand for his young nephew's birthday, his grieving brother has said.

Damien Melarkey died unexpectedly from natural causes on June 5, whilst returning from a holiday in Thailand.

According to his brother, Brian Melarkey, the country was a place "he loved dearly", and one that he visited most every year.

"It was a big shock that he passed away," Mr. Melarkey said. "It's hard to take. We are all still walking around in shock, it doesn't seem or feel right.

"At the time, he was all set to be back home for his nephew, Cormac's, 12th birthday. He wouldn't have missed it, as Cormac was also his Godson. 

"He is still coming home, but not as we know him."

Mr. Melarkey said that his beloved brother was set to celebrate his 50th birthday in December, which would have been a time of celebration for his family and many friends.

"He was very much devoted to his two nephews, Sean and Cormac," he continued. "He loved spending time with his friends in the Corner Bar, especially when Spurs was on. He was a very devoted Spurs man.

"He worked at Mannok to pay the mortgage and put some aside every month to pay for the holidays every year. He spent years down in Dublin as a barman, but had returned to Enniskillen. He was well known about the town."

Mr. Melarkey admits that his brother's untimely passing has left a "hole that will never be filled" within the family circle - but he is thankful that he has "countless" memories of his late brother to recount.

"The memories are too numerous to name," Mr. Melarkey said. "He was a good footballer, and he loved playing against Coa, in particular.

"My fondest memories are of him with a pint at the Corner Bar. He loved to be with the boys, having the craic, especially around Super Sundays."

He continued: "Even though he was a Spurs man, his nephew, Cormac supported Liverpool, while Sean supported Manu. Despite this, he would have brought back the new team rigs from Thailand.

"We used to wind him up that even though he was a devout Spurs man, he was still bringing stuff home for the boys! He would have crawled across broken glass to bring those things back."

The late Damian Melarkey will be laid to rest on Monday following Requiem Mass at St. Michael's Church, Enniskillen.

He was a dear son of Bridie (nee Montgomery) and the late Kevin, and loving brother of Brian, Anne (Brendan McEvoy) and Margaret (Nerijus).