Tearful funeral scenes as Tadgh Farrell’s mum vows to find ‘sweet’ boy, 4, ‘in every bit of sunshine’ after Offaly arson
‘Rest gently, my sweet little boy, my only boy’
TADGH Farrell’s heartbroken mum has vowed to find him “in every bit of sunshine” at the funeral mass for her little boy today.
Mourners heard how the four-year-old was “looking forward to watching The Late Late Toy Show” this day last week, before he was murdered alongside his grandaunt Mary Holt in a horrific arson attack in Co Offaly.
There were tearful scenes as the funeral cortege of little Tadgh arrived at St Mary’s Church in Edenderry this morning.
Mourners, including Tadgh’s heartbroken mum Shannon and his siblings, escorted the hearse to the church.
Motorbikes, which the funeral heard told were Tadgh’s “passion” that he “just couldn’t get enough of”, led the hearse.
A framed photo of the little boy surrounded with blue and white flowers was placed on top of his little white coffin in the church.
In a heartbreaking tribute read by Fr Gregory Corcoran on behalf of Tadgh’s mum Shannon, she told how her little boy had a “smile that could light up any room”.
Her message said: “My sweet Tadgh, you were only four years old, but you filled a lifetime’s worth of love into those years.
“You had a smile that could light up any room, a laugh that made even the heaviest days feel lighter, and a spirit so bright that everyone who met you felt it.
“You taught us what joy really was, you taught us how precious every moment can be. I love you, Tadgh.
“Rest gently, my sweet little boy, my only boy. I will find you in every bit of sunshine. Your mother, your loving mother, Shannon.”
A candle on the altar was lit on behalf of the entire Edenderry community to remember Tadgh and his grandaunt Mary during the mass.
Fr Corcoran read out a tribute on behalf of Tadgh’s Nanny Farrell, during the service.
It said: “My grandson baby Tadgh. I will forever think of the little things with you, like when you would say, ‘I love you Nanny’ and I would say, ‘I love you.’
“And we would laugh and say ‘What harm are you doing now Tadgh’ and five minutes later you’re up to mischief again. Lots of love, Nanny.”
Fr Corcoran’s homily told how little Tadgh had been “taken in a way that makes no sense”.
‘GONE FAR TOO SOON’
He said: “Tadhg was born in June 2021 in the middle of Covid. As Tadhg was carried in his mother’s womb, the cherry blossom trees outside of the church, indeed throughout the countryside, were in full bloom. The world seemed alive and beautiful.
“For a moment everything feels right. But within a day or two, the winds come. The blossoms that looked so perfect, so full of promise, are scattered. Gone far too soon.
“And even though we know this is how cherry blossoms are, we still find ourselves disappointed, asking ‘Why so soon? Why so quickly?’
“Today, as we gather heartbroken, that image speaks to us. Some lives, like the cherry blossom, shine with a beauty beyond their years.
“They bring colour, joy, and wonder, simply by being.
“Their presence, even for a short time, changes the landscape of our lives.
“And when they are gone too soon, we feel the same shock, the same ache, the same sense of, it wasn’t long enough … we weren’t ready to let go.”
Iris, by the Goo Goo Dolls was played in the church as the ceremony ended and little Tadgh’s coffin was carried from the church to St Mary’s cemetery in Edenderry.
HORRIFIC ATTACK
Gardai are continuing to investigate “all the circumstances” of the arson attack and this morning searched three houses in connection with the incident.
Footage released by gardai revealed how two thugs targeted the home at Castleview Park on Saturday evening.
One of the two men broke the front window of the house before the other ignited the petrol bomb and threw it in on Saturday evening.
Tadhg’s granny Pauline Holt suffered serious burn injuries in the incident, after she tried to get to her grandson and sister.
However, the blaze was too strong and she remained in hospital last night for treatment to her wounds.
Mary Holt’s funeral service will take place at 1pm on Sunday at St Mary’s Church.
Her Funeral Cortege will depart from Larkin’s Funeral Home at 12:20pm and travel via JKL Street and the School Lane, stopping at her beloved workplace Ofalia House as a mark of respect.
