Paul Meehan, a Donegal born Irishman and a well-known member of the Irish stronghold of Inwood in upper Manhattan, died at his Manhattan apartment on Sunday February 6 at the age of 43.

Meehan worked in the construction industry in the city and had celebrated his birthday on Saturday 5. A funeral mass held at the Good Shepherd Church on Friday.

It is not the first time tragedy has struck his family. Paul's brother Damian Meehan was killed in September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. In response the Inwood community renamed a section of 207 Street in the neighborhood Damian Meehan Way and the Donegal GAA Club in the city also named a memorial trophy after him.

Paul's father Michael was one of the founders of Donegal GAA Club in New York and a past president of the Donegal Association.

Paul's younger sister Janine told the press: "We are still in shock. Paul was a wonderful person, so much fun to be with and so full of life. He had so many friends. He loved his girlfriend and his family, especially his 23 nieces and nephews, who adored him. He was always the one with the bit of gum or a little toy to give them and they are devastated, trying to take in the fact that he is gone. He added so much to our all our lives."

Laurence McGrath, Chairman of Donegal GAA Club New York, told the press: "Everyone here is deeply saddened by the news of Paul's passing. On behalf of everyone at the club, I offer our deepest condolences."

He is survived by his mother, brothers Shaun, Kevin, Michael Junior, Eugene, and Christopher, and by his sisters Kathleen and Janine.