Children form a guard of honour at John Leo’s funeral

CHILDREN yesterday formed a guard of honour at the funeral of a school friend who died in a road tragedy last week.

They wept openly as the cortege for John Leo made its final journey from Corpus Christi Church in Moyross. The 12-year-old, from Whitecross Gardens, died instantly after he fell under the wheel of a lorry on Thursday — the day before he was due to start secondary school.

The lorry had been contracted by Limerick City Council to remove rubble from the site of a house, which was demolished at Hartigan Villas, Moyross.

He had helped his father, John snr, days before the accident, to erect green and white bunting in front of the family home to support the Limerick hurlers in last Sunday’s All Ireland final.

He was due to start school on Friday at St Nessan’s Community College. The night before the accident, he surprised his parents by trying on his new school uniform. Mourners were led by his parents, John and Sheila, and an older brother Dean, aged 15.

In his homily at the funeral mass, Fr Frank O’Dea parish priest of Corpus Christi parish said the sudden death of John at the aged of 12 was difficult to accept, as it went against nature.

Fr O’Dea said: “The size and power of diggers, tractors and lorries hold a huge fascination for young boys who are blinded by their associated dangers.”

Known in his family as “Small John”, he was a very keen sports follower and played, soccer, rugby and gaelic.

At the mass, some of his many trophies were brought to altar as offertory gifts.

Children from Corpus Christi school formed a guard of honour as the coffin was borne from the church prior to burial at Mount St Oliver cemetery.