Flowers spell out tributes to family killed in blaze

TEN-YEAR-OLD Cian O’Regan nestled close to his granny and granddad last night, and sat inches away from his parents’ coffins and a tiny white casket containing the remains of his 21-month-old sister.

His seven-year-old sister, Brianna, sat close by, keeping a very close eye on her restless little brother Aaron, who is just five.

Floral tributes in white roses spelled out the words Mam, Dad, Bryan, Johanna and Sister.

The tragedy which unfolded with the blaze at their home in the early hours of Tuesday was etched on the faces of the hundreds who lined up outside Waterford Regional Hospital’s mortuary to pay their respects to Bryan and Johanna O’Regan, both 31, and their youngest child Niamh.

There were dozens of multi-coloured fresh floral tributes from family and friends.

Special messages have already come from President Mary McAleese as well as the Bishop of Waterford, Dr William Lee.

But unlike many other funerals which involved the death of a child, there were no cherished or favourite cuddly toys or blankets on little Niamh’s casket. All the family’s prized personal belongings collected over the years were destroyed in the accidental blaze.

Life in the close-knit parish of Ballybeg on the edge of Waterford City has come to a standstill since the blaze which claimed the three lives.

Today, preparations for tomorrow’s 11am funeral mass at St Saviour’s Church continue.

Lorraine Elward, who was Johanna’s bridesmaid, will be the soloist.

Symbols of Johanna’s dedication to her family will be brought to the altar along with memorabilia from the Mount Sion, Roanmore and Butlerstown GAA clubs, which Bryan followed all of his life.

Meanwhile, money has been pouring in to a special trust fund set up for the three surviving O’Regan children. It is hoped that money from the fund might help replace some of the items that Cian, Brianna and Aaron lost in the blaze. It will also help finance their future needs.

Manager at the Bank of Ireland in Lisduggan, Waterford, Carmel Hutchinson, said people have been extremely generous, even at this early point.

“People have started to lodge to this fund already. And notice about the fund has gone to all our branches on the network,” she said.

“People can lodge money to this account simply by quoting the account number, which is 40559976, and quoting the sort code, which is 90-62-16. The name on the account is the O’Regan Trust Fund.”

Mayor of Waterford, Clllr Hilary Quinlan, is expected to officially launch the trust on Monday.