The family aims to raise awareness and assist police investigations through the vigil, which is planned as a peaceful gathering open to the public.
A family is facing a "really difficult" return to an East Sussex holiday park to hold a vigil, marking one year since the passing of a father-of-six.
Michael McDonagh, who resided in London, was on vacation with his family at the Parkdean resort in Camber Sands when he tragically passed away at the age of 53 in August last year following an altercation with a group of individuals.
Sussex Police arrested seven people in connection with the incident, with six of them released on bail and one released with no further action. The investigation is still ongoing.
Stephanie McDonagh, Michael's 31-year-old daughter, shared with the PA news agency that her family believed they would never be able to return to the area. She expressed that the gathering, scheduled for 1 pm on Saturday outside the park, will be "really difficult."
"It's probably been the toughest year of our lives, as anyone could imagine, and it's been an incredibly challenging year for everyone involved," she said.
"Obviously, we know what has happened to dad, we know that he's no longer with us, but comprehending and processing that reality are entirely different.
"You still anticipate seeing him, you expect him to walk through the door, and you instinctively reach for your phone to call him."
Ms. McDonagh, who works as a solicitor, fondly described her father as "the glue that held" their family together. She portrayed him as an "upbeat" father who possessed a sense of adventure, evident in his activities like zip-lining and cliff diving just a few months before his passing.
She expressed, "Dad was a devoted family man, and he always prioritized his family. Every decision he made was for the well-being of his family. He was the one who motivated us to achieve things we never thought possible."
Ms. McDonagh also mentioned how challenging it is to come to terms with the fact that her father will miss out on the joy of seeing his grandchildren being born and participating in family celebrations.
She shared her feelings, saying, "It feels like we're going through the most significant events and problems in our lives, and the one person we desperately want to talk to about it is no longer here."
The family hopes that the candlelit vigil, described as a peaceful gathering open to the public, will raise awareness and encourage any witnesses to come forward and assist the police in their investigations. The event also serves as an opportunity to honor their beloved father.
According to Ms. McDonagh, her father had a profound impact not only on his immediate family but also on his extended family and friends. Many others are still seeking answers and closure after his passing.
She also expressed disappointment with the holiday park's communication following her father's death, describing it as minimal and extremely insensitive. Ms. McDonagh believes the company could have handled the situation more compassionately for her grieving family.
In response, a spokesman for Camber Sands Holiday Park acknowledged the difficulty the McDonagh family is going through and assured their continued assistance to the authorities in the matter.
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Vickers of Sussex Police expressed their commitment to conducting a thorough and complex investigation into Michael McDonagh's death since the tragic events of August 6, 2022. The police remain dedicated to finding the answers the family deserves and have conducted an extensive review of CCTV footage and obtained over 150 statements as part of their investigation.
"Six individuals who were arrested on suspicion of Michael's murder have been released under investigation, and one person who was also arrested has been released with no further action.
"We urge any witnesses or individuals with relevant video footage to come forward and contact the police either online or via 101, providing the reference 'Operation Molton'."
%20(1)-Photoroom.png)