Soldier buried with full military honours

THE army private who died in a drowning accident has been buried with full military honours in Limerick.

Private Alan Boyce, 21, from Meelick, Co Clare, completed his military training last month. He drowned in Kilkenny last Friday night after he slipped into a river while out with friends.

Alan’s brother, Thomas, who was also in the army, died in a road accident eight years ago when he was 19.

Among the mourners at yesterday’s funeral was a young Scottish woman, Louise Hillen, with who Alan struck up a holiday romance in Santa Ponza three weeks ago.

Pte Boyce went to Scotland a week after returning home from Spain to meet up with Louise. She travelled from Motherwell with her parents for the funeral.

Mourners at St Munchin’s church included Pte Boyce’s parents Delia and Tommy, brothers Jason and Ross and sister Ciara.

Addressing mourners, Fr Seamus Madigan, chaplain to the 12th battalion, told the packed congregation that Alan always carried a photograph of his late brother, Thomas. “He believed Thomas got him through tough times.”

Fr Madigan said it was shocking to lose a second son and brother in such tragic circumstances. “Tragic death is like a blackout. One minute the sun is shining and then next minute it is like the darkest night without the slightest warning or the slightest chance to prepare ourselves we are plunged into darkness.

“I have no doubt he would have had a great career ahead of him. He was able, confident and funny and always got the job done. He was like a ripple in a pond. His life affected people for the better.”

Jerseys of GAA and soccer teams Alan played with were brought to the altar, one by his cousin, Munster rugby player Keith Earls.

Up to 400 members of the defence forces under Brigadier General Pat Hayes marched behind the gun carriage bearing the coffin.

The band of the Southern Command led the funeral cortege to Mount St Oliver cemetery where a volley of shots was fired and the last post was sounded.