'He's probably set up first nightclub in heaven' Tributes paid to DJ who died in Galway crash

POPULAR DJ Evan Kilmartin has probably opened "his first nightclub in heaven", his grieving aunt has said.

Julie Kilmartin, who runs Kilmartin Educational Services in Limerick city centre, has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her nephew who tragically died in a three-car collision on Sunday night in Galway.

Aged just 22, Evan was loved in Limerick, as he worked alongside his aunt at her grind school in O'Connell Street, mainly co-ordinating its social media advertising campaigns.

"He was the most popular guy in the area. He was a well-known DJ, and was just a funny guy, a kind guy, a decent guy.

"Everybody just wanted to be in his company. He was a wonderful person, full of kindness," Julie said.

This was most apparent when it came to his charity work.

He raised €6,000 in a widely-publicised fundraiser for Cancer Care West in 2023, where he shaved his hair down to its roots.

The young man, from the parish of Indreabhan in Galway, approached business owners across Limerick and many rowed in behind the campaign, either donating money or giving spot prizes.

And after the proceeds were counted, Evan took time to contact each and every business owner to thank them for their generosity.

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"I never knew he did that until I went in for a pint of Guinness into Sexton's Pub [at Henry Street in Limerick city centre]. Aileen and Barry run Sexton's. Aileen came over to me, and told me that they gave a spot prize for the Shave or Dye event that Evan ran, and when it was all over and done with, Evan took the time to sit down and send them a thank you note for providing a spot prize. I've never heard of that being done before," Julie said.

During Covid-19 when Julie and her other nephew, Evan's brother Shane were working in their office, she recalled how Evan was so good to them.

"He was the cook who looked after myself and Shane, his brother, when we were down. He would go out and get all the food, cook it for us, and when we came home from work, it was all there for us."

"He was just a wonderful young person, that is the bottom line. There was nothing but kindness and love about him," Julie said.

"We will remember him for his smile, his laughter, his kindness and the love that he had for his family. The sheer love for his family and friends. The love for Irish, the love for the Gaeltacht, the love for Ireland. The love for everything," the businesswoman and educator said.

Julie has taken a lot of comfort from tributes which have flowed in for Evan from across the world.

The pair travelled to many destinations, always with the maroon flag of Galway in hand. They are pictured below at the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.

"Tributes are pouring in from friends he has made in Texas, Australia, South Africa, all over the world.. from Boston. People are so devastated and shocked that such a young person at such a young age with so much to live for, with so much to give to the world has now gone from us," Julie added.

She said the family have kept saying to each other that: "Evan is now in heaven".

"He probably has the first nightclub opened up there," she smiled.

Following the crash, the Bearna to Na Forbacha road in Galway was closed well into Monday before re-opening after a forensic examination.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the collision to come forward.

A spokesperson said: "Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí," a Garda spokesperson said in a statement.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bóthar na Trá (Salthill) Garda Station on 091 514 720, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."

Evan's funeral details have yet to be confirmed.

May he rest in peace.