‘Voice’ star breaks down at funeral of Patrick, 7

Voice of Ireland finalist Kelly Mongan-McDonagh broke down while singing ‘Amazing Grace’ at the funeral of a 7-year-old Traveller who died after being thrown from a pony.

Deeply moved, she was just one of many people who let their emotions flow at St Brendan’s Church in The Glen, Cork City, for the requiem Mass of Patrick McCarthy.

The altar was bedecked with dozens of floral tributes to the young boy. He died last Saturday afternoon when dogs bit his pony which reared up and threw him to the ground at his home in Spring Lane.

Some of the floral tributes were in the size and shape of ponies and, on top of his small blue coffin, lay a picture of Patrick.

Fr Oscar O’Leary, who concelebrated the mass, said Patrick’s death was a great tragedy which had caused much hurt to his family and many friends.

Fr O’Leary told the hundreds of mourners, including Lord Mayor Cllr Catherine Clancy: “We know in our hearts he’s now in the hands of God and couldn’t be in better hands.”

Like many Travellers, the priest said, Patrick had a great love of horses.

“His riding boots and many things associated with horses are here. It’s a tragedy and a great loss. He’s extremely happy now. He’s at peace with Jesus in heaven. He’s gone home,” Fr O’Leary said.

Patrick’s grandfather Martin McCarthy said he wanted to thank everybody who had come to the funeral.

“They have come from all over Ireland and even England. I want to thank everybody who has been supporting us during the last couple of days which have been devastating.”

He also thanked the gardaí, priests of the parish, and staff at the Mercy University Hospital who had tried their best to save his grandson.

Patrick’s uncle Richard, 17, rode a sulky in front of the hearse as it travelled to his home in Spring Lane before heading towards Co Limerick for the burial.

“I was on a horse in front of him when the accident happened. Patrick was fascinated with horses and we were in Puck Fair last week and he loved it,” Richard said.

“I was very close to him, wherever he’d be, I’d be. I was more than just his uncle, I was his best friend. There’s a massive void left in my life.”

Patrick McDonagh, 8, who was another very good friend, said: “I’ll miss him very, very, much.”

The Prayers of the Faithful were read by Patrick’s aunts Eileen McCarthy and Marie McDonagh along with his 8-year-old sister Elena.

After arriving in Co Limerick yesterday afternoon, Patrick’s body was transferred to a carriage, drawn by four white horses, which took him to his final resting place at Kilcornan Cemetery near Rathkeale.