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.

An autopsy was due to be carried out at MUH yesterday to establish the exact cause of death.

Gardaí will then prepare a file for the coroner’s court.

Patrick, a pupil at St Oliver’s National School in Ballyvolane, was due to make his Communion next year.

His granduncle, Kieran McCarthy, who was in the area at the time of the accident, said it happened in a split second.

“Patrick just loved that pony. It was a freak thing because the terriers bit the back of the horse. It was split second,” he said.

“He was a little angel. He just loved being out with the animals and playing. He had a great smile. We can’t believe he has been taken from us. It is all so sudden.”

Patrick’s grandaunt, Brigid McCarthy, said his death was a “terrible cross to bear” for his loved ones.

“His mother and father are sweet, kind, gentle people,” she said.

“We will miss seeing Patrick being brought up and down to school. The horses are a big part of the children’s lives. Patrick adored his horse. I saw him five minutes before the accident and he was asking to get up on it. He lived for being up on it.”

Another member of the family, who did not want to be named, said the entire halting-site community, made up of members of the extended Delaney and McCarthy families, was devastated.

“People are just in shock. We are all devastated,” she said. “Patrick was a very quiet lad, never a bother. He came from a very, very close family. They’ll never be the same again.”

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Catherine Clancy, expressed her condolences to the extended McCarthy family last night.

“Patrick’s grandparents have lived in the area for a long time,” she said.

“The children are well established in the community, attending local schools.

“Patrick’s tragic death is obviously a tremendous loss for the family but it is a loss which will be felt in the wider community too.

“As lord mayor and a mother, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his parents and his large extended family.”

Patrick is survived by his parents, his older sister, Helena, and his younger siblings, Teresa and Martin. Funeral arrangements have yet to be finalised.

Parents were with their 7 year old son when he died in #CUH after being thrown from a horse in Spring Lane #Cork today. #Gardai #Tv3news

— Paul Byrne (@PaulByrne_1) August 17, 2013

The living conditions at the city council-managed Spring Lane halting site have been at the centre of controversy for several years.

Traveller families have complained about overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and the lack of space for recreational facilities.

Several families united earlier this year to serve injunctive proceedings on the local authority but progress on improving conditions has stalled since councillors voted against rezoning extra land in Dec 2011.