Hundreds to attend funeral of 11-year-old

Hundreds of people from farming and GAA circles in Tipperary are due to attend the funeral Mass today of a boy who died after being hit by a trailer.

Alan Quirke, 11, was struck by a trailer that was attached to a four-by-four vehicle at his home in Brensha last Wednesday.

Gardaí are treating his death as a tragic accident.

Yesterday, as he lay in repose at the family home, three miles outside Tipperary Town, Alan was remembered by locals as a good-natured boy, who loved sports, especially tennis and hurling.

Pat Quirke, described by his peers as a “pioneer dairy farmer”, and his wife Imelda, who is from a well-known GAA family, are said to be devastated by the sudden loss of their son.

They have two other sons, Liam and Gary.

Neighbours and friends in the area were yesterday still trying to come to terms with the shock news.

Pat McCormack, deputy president of the Irish Creamery & Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) and a family friend, said: “All our thoughts are with the Quirke and Lowry families at this terrible tragic time for them.” &

Alan’s funeral takes place at the Church of the Assumption, Lattin, Tipperary, today at 11.30am.

Burial will take place immediately afterwards in St Michael’s Cemetery, Tipperary Town.