Heartbroken father’s tribute to woman who died celebrating 25th birthday in nightclub tragedy – The Irish News

The father of Chloe Ferris, who died in a nightclub while she was celebrating her 25th birthday, spoke of his family’s grief at the loss of a young woman who “lived her life to the fullest”.

Chloe (24) was attending Lux nightclub in Belfast city center with friends to celebrate her upcoming birthday when she and another friend lost consciousness.

Chloe was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services were called to the nightclub in the Dunbar Street area in the early hours of Sunday.

Another woman in her 20s remains hospitalized after the incident.

Chloe was the beloved sister of Christopher, Declan and Barry, as well as the daughter of Declan and Sharon.

Speaking to The Irish News from Chloe’s home in Newtownabbey on Monday, her father Declan said his daughter worked hard and lived life to the fullest.

“Our whole family is heartbroken. Chloe was out celebrating her birthday and for something like this to happen is amazing,” Declan said.

“She was out with her friends celebrating, it was supposed to be her 25th birthday on Wednesday.

“Chloe was an incredibly hardworking girl, she worked from nine to nine every day and Saturday was the only time she could have had a day off before Christmas.

“Chloe built a successful business and had a wonderful, extremely close group of friends.

“She had traveled the world and lived life to the fullest. We had also told her that she needed to relax a little, she was in America and Australia last year, which is precisely what she loved to do.

“She also went to Africa to help the children there, that’s the kind of girl she was.

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“She wasn’t one to save money or anything like that, she worked hard and had fun and then started all over again.

“I tell myself there was something in the back of her mind that knew something was going to happen, and that’s why she dedicated so much of her short life.”

Beautician Chloe had set up her own business in recent years with considerable success, with her father speaking of his pride in returning to his old school – St Louise’s – to give a business talk to pupils.

Originally from West Belfast, Chloe had set up her home and business in Newtownabbey.

Ahead of her funeral on Thursday, Declan said the outpouring of emotion and good wishes from the local community was reflected in the number of people who had called to her home since the tragedy.

He also asked the public not to speculate about his daughter’s death while the family awaits further information from the PSNI, including toxicology reports.

“The house is completely packed in there, there are people spilling out outside.

“They come from all sides of the community and all ages, it tells you everything about Chloe.”

Two close friends of Chloe told The Irish News they were part of a group of friends who called themselves the “Sister Squad”, who were with Chloe to celebrate her birthday on Saturday.

“Chloe was the loudest in the room and the funniest, she lit up every room she entered. There was no one like her,” said her friend Megan Hamilton.

“She was just the best friend ever, she would always be there for you no matter what.” She had the best advice and supported you in absolutely everything,” Molly Murray said.

“She was like a rock to us, the glue that held us all together. »

Police say the PSNI investigation into Chloe’s death is still in its early stages.

Chloe’s funeral will take place on Thursday at St Paul’s Church at 1pm, with a requiem mass followed by burial in Milltown Cemetery.