‘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.

He thanked Anthony’s father, Mark Ryan, and his family, neighbours, and friends who had rallied around them in their hour of need.

Mr Ward described Diane, his sister who is accused of killing Anthony, as “a wonderful mother”.

Despite Diane and Anthony’s father being separated, Mr Ward said they “adored” their child and often spoilt him.

He said Diane “was not without her troubles”, but asked all the mourners at Holy Cross Church to “pray for her in the weeks and months ahead”.

He described his nephew as “a free spirit who never liked the indoors”.

“If he was not on his bicycle or quads [motorised bikes] he was out with his pony or with his dogs. He was a passionate, high-energy child.

“I truly believe Anthony is in heaven with his granddad, Tommy. His granddad will look after him. His [Anthony’s] sudden shock departure has left a big void in our lives.”

Other members of the extended family also made personal tributes to Anthony at the end of the Mass of the Angels.

Parish priest Canon Seán Cotter, who was chief concelebrant at the Mass, said: “Anthony is already an angel. We know that he has immediate access to God.”

He said the boy’s parents and grandparents invested a lot of time in his short life.

“He rewarded them with a smile, laughter and fun,” Canon Cotter added.

“God says ‘don’t be afraid’ 365 times in the bible, once for every day of the year. All that love of God’s is Anthony’s today.”

Earlier, hundreds of mourners crossed themselves as they passed the little boy’s cream coffin in front of the altar.

On it lay a black and white picture of Anthony as a baby, a more recent colour photograph, a riding helmet, a photo of his beloved pony Tonto, and a taekwondo training suit.

Tom Murphy, a leading member of the local taekwondo club, said that Anthony was a regular at training sessions and had achieved yellow-tip status.

“He was a very big part of the club and very committed. Anthony had a very devoted family. You could see serious love and affection between himself and his mother. She’d sit down and watch him training. When he’d finish, they’d embrace each other.”