‘Spirited young boy’ laid to rest

Tears flowed outside a tiny church in rural county Limerick yesterday for the funeral Mass of a “spirited young boy with the world at his feet” who died suddenly while working on his grandfather’s farm.

There were heartbreaking scenes as the remains of 14-year-old Jack Lyons were brought the short journey from his family home at Clouncagh Co Limerick, to the 19th century St Mary’s church located across the road.

School children from Deel Rangers and Knockaderry GAA Clubs, Ahalin National School, and SMI Secondary School in Newcastle West provided a guard of honour along the route outside the small church.

Several hundred mourners gathered outside as Carmel and Kevin Lyons walked with the coffin carrying their eldest son while comforting their younger twin boys Cormac and Darragh, 10.

Jack Lyons collapsed and died in front of his best friend as the pair were power hosing sheds on the farm belonging to his grandfather Paddy Lyons at Ahalin, Ballingarry, last Thursday afternoon.

It was initially believed the teenager was electrocuted but a postmortem did not find electrocution as the cause of death and indicated he may have suffered sudden adult death syndrome.

Symbols of the 14-year-old’s life were brought to the altar at his funeral Mass.

These included a rugby ball representing his commitment to Newcastle West Rugby club, his mobile phone which mourners were told “never left his hand”, a bodhrán because of his love of music and a soccer ball representing Ballingarry Soccer Club where he played at centre back.

Mourners wept openly when the hurley he used while playing for his beloved Knockaderry GAA club was placed on the altar and his delight at the Limerick hurling team’s recent success in the Munster final was recalled.

In a tribute entitled ‘Letter to Jack’ the 14-year-old’s aunt Ann O’Regan spoke about the special bond she shared with her nephew whom she described as a “spirited young boy with the world at his feet”. She recalled how the teenager had confided in her about girls and thanked the “little bird” who recently informed her that the ambition of his first kiss had been realised.

She said her nephew had touched all of their lives so deeply with his smile and his laugh.

“Jack, you were a charmer but a bit of an old romantic at heart... Thank you to Kevin and Carmel for bringing this beautiful boy into our lives and for 14 wonderful years with him,” she said.

Mourners were told how Jack’s brothers are struggling to cope with the death of the “best big brother in the whole world”.

“They are cross with God for taking you, but they are glad they had you in their lives,” their aunt said.