Poignant scenes as respects paid to toddler victim

THERE were poignant scenes in Limerick last night when the remains of four-year-old petrol bomb victim Katelyn Ryan were removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in

The little girl died in Dublin from serious burns sustained in an arson attack on the family home last weekend.

Grief-stricken parents Jackie and Robert Ryan and their family were comforted by relatives and friends as little Katelyn’s white coffin was received by local curate Fr Patrick Seaver.

Crowds of mourners walked behind the hearse as the remains were brought from Katelyn’s grandparents’ home at 21 Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, to the church.

The tiny coffin was surrounded of wreaths as the community paid their respects to the parents and relatives on their tragic loss.

Among the attendance was Supt Gerry Mahon, Roxboro Garda Station, who is leading the investigation into the petrol bomb attack on the Ryan’s home at Lenihan Avenue.

The child’s mother, Jackie Ryan, and her 15-month-old baby Leah, were also seriously injured in the fire.

They were discharged from the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick on Friday.

The arson attack provoked widespread public outrage and condemnation in the city.

The Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, visited the home of Katelyn’s grandparents, Jim and Nora Roche, to extend his deepest sympathy to the Ryan and Roche families on Friday.

Little Katelyn’s funeral will take place to Mount St Oliver’s Cemetery following a Mass of the Angels at 11am.