Funeral hears boy, 12, killed in train accident was "kind, friendly, with a bit of divilment"
12-year old Eoin Doyle died following the accident near Ballyhaunis
The funeral of a young boy who was killed after a train collided with a car last week took place this morning.
Eoin Doyle, Ballyhaunis, was pronounced dead last Thursday evening after the crash at the level crossing in Kiltybo near Ballyhaunis. His father Declan was treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries. It is understood they were travelling home from GAA training at the time.
Symbols representing Eoin’s life were presented at his funeral mass at St Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad this morning including a football and a Manchester United jersey, hair gel and socks, a photo of his grandparents, a photo of his pet dog, his tablet and game controllers and a photo of Eoin and his twin sister Saoirse.
A recent photo of Eoin and Saoirse holding the Sam Maguire sat atop his coffin. His mother Elaine told mourners that her son had a kind, friendly nature with a “bit of divilment” they found irresistible.
She said her son had a deep love of sport, particularly soccer, and dreamed of playing for Manchester United someday.
“Anywhere we went, there had to be a ball brought in the boot of the car. His dream was to play with his beloved Man United and we never really know whether that could have happened or not,” she said.
She spoke of the deep bond between Eoin and his twin sister.
“She has truly lost her other half, our precious girl.”
“It’s very difficult to know how we go on from here. Our home has changed forever. There’s an empty bedroom.
“We count on Eoin to bring us strength and watch over us every day, and I feel he’s doing that now already. Rest in peace, our fine, handsome boy. Until we meet you again.”
Parish Priest of Ballyhaunis Fr Stephen Farragher said Eoin’s death was a terrible tragedy.
“We can’t pretend that this is anything other than devastating. Eoin’s life cannot be measured simply by its length, it is measured rather by the love he received, by the love he gave, by the laughter he shared, by the friendships he made, by the things he enjoyed, by the people whose lives he changed simply by being part of them,” he said.
Burial took place in Ballyhaunis Cemetery following mass.
Eoin is deeply regretted by his heartbroken parents Declan & Elaine (née Corcoran) and his twin sister Saoirse, step-brother Conor, grandparents Pat & Marguerite Doyle and Ger & Mary Corcoran, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives & friends.
May he rest in peace.
