‘Andrew, thank you for being the son any dad would be proud of’

The only son of award- winning restaurateurs Derry and Sallyanne Clarke was laid to rest amid emotional scenes on Saturday.

Andrew Clarke, 16, died on New Year’s Eve from injuries sustained in a freak accident two days after Christmas when a car he was working on in the garage of the family home in Dublin fell on him.

His parents run the Michelin-starred l’Ecrivain restaurant on Dublin’s Baggot St and Saturday’s funeral Mass in the Boy’s Chapel at Clongowes Wood College in Kildare, where Andrew was a student, was attended by high-profile chefs including Dylan McGrath and Darina Allen.

Mourners heard from Andrew’s older sister, Sarah May, that her brother had been a source of fun and laughter in the family home during his life.

She said: “He was fearless and a true hero. He was my best friend and the love of my life and he’ll never be forgotten.”

A car enthusiast, Andrew had been repairing a recently purchased Volkswagen Jetta and was underneath the vehicle when it fell on him. He was rushed to hospital but died after spending some days in a coma.

Derry Clarke thanked those who had cared for his son and recalled how Andrew had lived life to the full. “He always seemed older than his years, free-spirited, and determined.

“Thank you for being the son any dad would be proud of, you beautiful young man. My feelings for you will never ever change. You’ll always be my heart.”

Describing her son as someone with “a heart of gold”, Sallyanne Clarke said Andrew had “loved everyone and everyone loved him”.

She had previously referred to Clongowes as Andrew’s “second home” and the funeral Mass was led by the school headmaster Fr Leonard Moloney, with scenes from the chapel relayed to mourners outside via television screens.

Andrew Clarke was afterwards laid to rest in Dublin’s Mount Jerome cemetery.