Mayo mother's tribute as kind-hearted, sports loving son is laid to rest
“REST in peace our fallen, handsome boy until we meet again,” a grieving mother said at the funeral Mass today (Tuesday) of her 12-year-old son who was killed last week in a collision between a train and a car near Ballyhaunis.
Elaine Doyle spoke movingly and lovingly of her 'kindhearted, friendly, sports loving' Eoin at his funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad.
Continuing, she said: “The loss of our beautiful boy has no positives at all, albeit that it highlights the importance of kindness to others in our daily lives.
“Eoin was kind-hearted to family, friends and the family pets. He hated to see anyone upset or in trouble.
“It is very difficult to know how we go on from here. Our home has changed forever.
“We count on Eoin to give us strength and watch over us…I feel he’s doing that already.”
Mrs. Doyle said that Eoin, who played underage football with local soccer club Cloonfad United, dreamt of one day playing for Manchester United.
St. Patrick’s Church was thronged for the funeral Mass where the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Francis Duffy, was amongst the concelebrants.
Overflow attendees watched the ceremonies live online in the local community centre.
Eoin's father, Declan, sat in a front pew alongside his wife.
On the flower covered coffin also rested a photo of the entire Doyle family taken with the Sam Maguire Cup when it recently visited Ballyhaunis.
Fr. Stephen Farragher, the main celebrant of the funeral Mass, expressed his deepest sympathy with Eoin’s heartbroken parents Declan and Elaine, his twin sister Saoirse, step-brother Conor and both sets of grandparents, Pat and Marguerite Doyle and Ger and Mary Corcoran.
“This is a tragedy that touched the heart of a nation,” Fr. Farragher stated.
“We celebrate Eoin’s life, the joy he brought to those around him, the friendships he made…the love that surrounded him every day.
“Today is a day of tears but it is also a day of thanksgiving for the precious gift of Eoin’s life.”
Following the Mass, Eoin was laid to rest in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.