Tot who drowned in container of water laid to rest

A bunch of green balloons were released into the sky as a community, "bereft of words", laid to rest one of its youngest, two-year-old David Roche, who died last Sunday.

The little boy, from Mountcollins west Limerick, died after drowning in a container of water at the family farm, just days after his sister Kate was brought home following her birth.

It is believed there was only a foot of water in the container which David had gone to investigate before he fell in and could not free himself.

He was found seconds later by a family member and rushed to University Hospital Limerick, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The community packed into the Church of the Assumption to remember the “little farmer”, who loved nothing better than working outdoors with his father Micheál.

A number of gifts were placed beside David’s small white coffin, including a bottle of bubbles to symbolise his free spirit and thirst for adventure; a toy tractor, and a book on farm machinery.

“He loved farming. He was a chip off the old block,” said a family spokesperson.

David’s mother Brigid, gave birth to daughter Kate 10 days ago.

However, the family’s joy at the arrival of their first daughter turned to sudden horror at the tragic loss of their son.

Reverend William O’Gorman, chief celebrant at the Mass of the Angels, supported by Fr Dáithí Kennelly, Tournafulla, told David’s parents: “At times like this our faith is challenged. David in his young life was a saint, and now he is a saint in heaven. Today we are here to honour this young, innocent, roguish boy.”

Fr O’Gorman added: “It’s difficult to put words on your feelings. You’ve had so much recently — the birth of your beautiful daughter Kate and now the loss of David.

“He brought so much life to yours, and like all parents, you wished it would last.”

Mourners thronged the inside of the church while some of swell of the attending crowd also silently listened outside to the highly emotional service.

Fr O’Gorman said the local community was in “deep shock”.

Fr Kennelly, meanwhile, said the community was “bereft of words”.

He told David’s family: “We feel helpless, because we’d like to say [something], but what can we say? Everyone feels a deep sadness and, if that’s true of us, then how much more it is true for you.”

Fr Kennelly described the awful events of Sunday as “a terrible tragedy”.

“You are surrounded by so many neighbours and friends. We hope you feel our compassion.”

He added: “The most important thing for any man or woman is to have the experience of being loved. David, in his two short years, had that experience; he was blessed with love.”

The family offered blessings for the ambulance paramedics, nurses, and doctors who tried to save their little boy.

Poignantly, a bag of bread was also placed beside David’s coffin to symbolise his daily routine of feeding the crows at the family farm.

“He had a love of animals and he made sure the highest standards were applied when it came to quality control... he would taste-test the bread every time before giving it to the crows,” said a family spokesperson.

Balloons, with tributes and messages of love written by loved ones and friends were released as David’s remains were buried at Mountcollins Cemetery.

One read: “David. Forever Remembered. Love Rosie.”

Another read: “I loved you David. Love Daniel”.