‘I have no badness in my heart for her’

In a heart-rending act of reconciliation, Mark Ryan spoke of his 10-year friendship with Diane Ward, the mother of his child, who is accused of killing the boy at her home in North Cork last Monday.

Mourners who packed Holy Cross Church, Charleville, for the Requiem Mass of Anthony Ward, 8, forced back tears as they heard numerous tributes paid to the schoolboy and his mother.

Mr Ryan said he hoped to continue his friendship with Ms Ward and said his only regret was that he didn’t buy a horse for Anthony sooner.