‘Anthony is already an angel’

An uncle of the little boy allegedly killed by his 43-year-old mother fought back the tears on numerous occasions as he spoke of his love for the youngster.

Tom Ward often cried as he gave an impassioned eulogy to his nephew, Anthony, 8, at the child’s requiem Mass in Charleville, Co Cork, yesterday.

Mr Ward said he wanted to offer his family’s “sincerest and deepest thanks” to everybody who had supported them, including the investigating gardaí — many of whom were present — for their “discretion” in dealing with the tragedy.