Jonathan laid to rest beside his grandparents

The glorious autumn sunshine seemed inappropriate on a grief-laden afternoon, as Jonathan O’Driscoll was buried in Kilmallock graveyard alongside his maternal grandparents, Margaret (Dicey) Conway and her husband Paddy.

After the white coffin was lowered into the grave, Jonathan’s distraught mother, Helen, asked to say a few words to the 300 mourners present.

Assisted by a number of women, Mrs O’Driscoll said: “I want to thank everybody who has been with us since we lost our three lovely little boys.

“I want to thank you for coming, the priests, the local community, our relatives and extended family, the gardaí, the undertaker and all who have been with us. May God bless everybody.”

Applause broke over the sombre gathering and three doves were released.

Charleville curate, Fr Tom Naughton, blessed the coffin with the words: “God of holiness and power accept our prayers on behalf of your servant. Do not count his deeds against him, for in his heart he desired to do your will.”

He was joined at the graveside by Fr Sean Cotter, PP, Charleville; Fr Joe Cussen, PP, Kilmallock; and Fr Michael Campbell, CC, Kilbrin.

The hearse bearing Jonathan’s remains on the six-mile journey from Charleville, stopped at Wolfe Tone Street, from where 10 men and women shouldered his coffin to the cemetery.

In a poignant moment, the cortège stopped for a few moments at Orr Street, outside the old home of Margaret and Paddy Conway.

One resident said: “Jonathan spent a lot of his childhood here with his grandparents in Kilmallock and was always out playing on the street. He loved Dicey and Paddy and he is now being laid to rest with them.”

Family and friends remained at the graveside as songs by Ellie Goulding were played.

One of the large floral tributes in blue lettering read: “Our son Jonathan.”