‘Innocent, shy boy left an indelible mark’

A proud father of a 17-year-old student killed in a horrific car crash moved mourners to tears at his funeral when he spoke in glowing terms of his “innocent, quiet, shy boy” who had “left an indelible mark” on his family.

John Stoker was speaking at the requiem Mass yesterday for his son Robert, who died in an incident near Bansha, Co Tipperary, on Monday, along with Mary Enright, 28, who was due to give birth to her first child in six weeks.

Members of Robert Stoker’s family carried his coffin a few yards from his home in Monkstown, Co Cork, to the local Sacred Heart Church as his fifth-year classmates from Presentation Brothers College in the city formed a guard of honour.

The Mass had to be delayed for several minutes due to the large number of mourners who packed the main aisle of the church, queuing to offer their sympathy to the Stoker family.

Robert’s father thanked everybody for their support and said his family’s hearts went out to Mrs Enright’s family, to her husband Pat, and family friend Jack Lacey, who were seriously injured in the accident.

Parish priest Fr John Newman said that even in his short life, Robert had brought great joy to his family. “He was a very bright boy, popular amongst his classmates. It’s such a pity that Robert, a beautiful, gentle son, should be taken from such a beautiful family,” the priest said.

He said Robert, who would have been 18 in three weeks’ time, “was a good student who learnt quickly and easily. He was scholarship material and he loved classical music,” Fr Newman said.

He said the community had been shocked and saddened by the news of Robert’s death. Among the mourners were Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who are both personal friends of the Stoker family.

Robert is survived by his father John, mother Maria, and brother Daniel.

Following requiem Mass Robert was buried at St Michael’s Cemetery, Blackrock.