Cillian had been set to appear alongside his family on the upcoming series of RTÉ’s Ireland’s Fittest Family after they competed in the show this summer. The broadcaster confirmed the programme has been postponed following the news of Cillian’s death.
He died in the early hours of Monday morning at his home in Dublin 15.
His school, Blakestown Community College, said: “It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news of the untimely passing of one of our third-year students, Cillian Flaherty.
“This has come as a huge shock to our whole school community. Our sincere sympathies are with Cillian’s family and friends at this time.
The new series of ‘Ireland’s Fittest Family’ featuring, from left, Sonia O’Sullivan, Donncha O’Callaghan, Laura Fox, Anna Geary and Davy Fitzgerald has been postponed following the death of a 15-year-old who had been due to appear on the show alongside his family
“Cillian was a very popular member of our school community and we know that he will be hugely missed by all those who knew him.
“We are supporting students here in school while dealing with this tragic event and we aim to send on some information, at a later date, that might assist you in supporting your children through this difficult time at home.”
Tributes have been paid to Cillian from across the footballing community in Dublin. He was a member of the under-16 team at the Mountview Boys and Girls Football Club based in the Dublin 15 area.
The Dublin and District Schoolboys’/Girls’ League said: “The thoughts of all the footballing community are with Cillian’s family, friends and all at MBG FC at this time.”
Mulhuddart Football Club, also based in Dublin 15, offered its condolences to Cillian’s family and friends.
His local football team Verona FC also paid tribute to the popular star saying: “Verona FC is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Cillian Flaherty who was part of the MBG FC U16 team, we are thinking of Cillian’s family, friends and everyone at Mbg FC at this time.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
RTÉ announced on Tuesday afternoon that the series was going to be postponed while they decide what they are going to do with the series that has already been filmed and edited.
They have also pulled all promos for the show from the airwaves and cancelled a scheduled appearance of the stars on this Friday’s Late Late Show.
RTÉ told us: “The broadcast of the new series of Ireland’s Fittest Family originally scheduled to begin this Sunday night, has now been postponed following the death of one of this year’s participants subsequent to the completion of the series. RTÉ and Kite/Animo productions wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and friends at this time.
“Further details regarding the broadcast of the series will be provided in due course.”
One local that we spoke to described the teenager as a “really nice kid who will be sorely missed. The whole area will be devastated by this news.
“He was so young and was one of those kids that had the whole world ahead of him. He was super fit. Like his family. So it was no surprise that he and his family appeared on the hit show.”