Mum buries her ‘wee rogue’

A GRIEVING mother will today lead mourners at the funeral of her eight-year-old son who died earlier this week in Co Donegal.

Hugh Simpson-Callaghan suffered an asthma attack while eating his dinner at the family home on Monday.

Leanne Simpson said her son, the third born in a family of five, was full of energy and loved playing football despite suffering chronic asthma and using an inhaler. He was treated in hospital two days before Christmas for a chest complaint, she said.

“We are heartbroken. No words can describe how we are feeling. Hugh was our loveable wee rogue,” she said. He was thrilled when she told him about a unique birthday he would celebrate later this year.

“He turned eight on November 11 and I told him his birthday this year would be 11.11.11, a once-in-a-lifetime thing. He thought this was absolutely brilliant.”

Leanne and Hugh’s devastated step-father, Seán Callaghan, described how they rushed the child to the out-of-hours NowDoc service at Carndonagh Community Hospital, 4km away. He had begun feeling unwell at the dinner table just before 7pm but his condition deteriorated rapidly. He was pronounced dead a short time later at the hospital.

There has been a huge outpouring of sympathy in the small rural village as scores of people call to pay their respects. Family and friends were yesterday comforting the youngster’s four siblings Jonny, 10; Jade, nine; Keirsha, three and Séanice, two.

Hugh was in second class at Craigtown NS, and had a “leading role” in the school’s Christmas play. Principal Gerard O’Kane and staff members yesterday extended their heartfelt sympathies to the family.

“Hugh loved school and carried out his school work with great interest and enthusiasm. He was popular with all children in our school and was full of fun and laughter. He was always smiling. Hugh was a friend to everyone. He will be very sadly missed by all the staff and children, their parents and members of our community,” the school said in a statement.

Parish priest Fr Jim McGonagle said the entire locality was saddened by the youngster’s death. “There is a sense of shock at what has happened,” he said.

The funeral will take place at 11am in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Carndonagh, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.