Tributes to seven-year-old child who dies after being thrown from a horse in Cork

The family of the little boy who died after being thrown from a horse in Cork City have paid an emotional tribute to their “little angel” who lived to ride his pony.

Patrick McCarthy, aged 7, suffered severe head injuries after the animal he was riding on in Spring Lane, just outside his home at the Traveller halting site near Blackpool on Saturday afternoon, was startled by dogs and threw him off.

He was rushed in a critical condition by his parents Helen and Patrick to the Mercy University Hospital where, despite the best efforts of doctors, he died around 1.30pm.