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Daughter of Dublin man found dead in tent recalls emotional final meeting with dad-of-seven
Thomas Boyd’s body was discovered in Dublin city centre in the early hours of Monday morning
The heartbroken daughter of a Dublin man who was found dead in a tent has spoken of her final meeting with her beloved dad.
Thomas Boyd’s body was discovered in Dublin city centre in the early hours of Monday morning.
And daughter Nikita Louise told Dublin Live that the last time she met her dad was on Saturday, and that he was “always smiling, no matter what”.
Read more:Young cousin of shooting victim Sandra Boyd tragically died this year
She recalled: “He was in good form. Always smiling no matter what.
“I have a son who’s turning one in two weeks and he gave us a big hug and a kiss. We didn’t think anything of it.”
Nikita, 22, was shocked after she received a call from her brother a couple of days later saying nobody could get in touch with the 34-year-old Dubliner.
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She said: “My dad’s friend told my brother he hadn’t been in contact with my dad. He hadn’t seen him. He was really worried. It wasn’t like my dad to not be around town.
“I got on to my dad’s sister and asked her if she could get in contact with him but then I got a call saying that he was found in a tent at 3am.”
Sadly, this isn’t the first tragedy the family has been struck with recently.
Thomas’ cousin Sandra was shot dead in Finglas on Saturday night.
Nikita said the double tragedy was “very hard” on the family.
She added that everyone in the family loved Thomas and “idolised” him.
She said: “My dad was always smiling even through his worst days.
“He had a rough life growing up but he tried his best to do what he’s done. He tried his best for his kids and grandkids. We all idolised him.
“His sisters loved him as well. We all tried our best to help him.
“When addiction takes over the whole family tries their best to get that person back on track.
“He’s been homeless for a while. We all tried to take him in between his sisters and kids but he didn’t want it. He just wanted to do his own thing.
“He had a lot of friends in and around the city centre. They all looked after him there.”
Gardai are investigating the circumstances of his death after his remains were discovered in the Capel Street area at around 3am.
Thomas’ son Dylan has launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the cost of the funeral.
Nikita said: “We weren’t expecting to get the news that we did get.
“The funeral cost is a bit much so we set up a GoFundMe just to get what we can to give him the best sendoff that he deserves.”
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
Read more:Finglas community in ‘profound shock’ after mum dies following shooting
Read more:Tributes flow for Finglas mother who died after last night’s shooting
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