Tributes paid as Eric laid to rest after horse fall

“You had a smile for everyone, hands for boxing and a face for the ladies. We can’t picture our family without you.”

This was one of the many moving tributes paid yesterday by the siblings of tragic teenager, Eric Stanton, 15, from Mayfield in Cork City, who died after falling from a horse into the Glashaboy river in Riverstown on Saturday.

Choking back tears, his older sister, Amy, read the tributes from the altar of St Joseph’s Church after Requiem Mass.

“My little brother Eric was always happy and smiling, strolling around the house in his boxer shorts, so confident and carefree,” she said.

They recalled a kind, happy, and outgoing teenager who loved horses, who was committed to boxing, and who they teased about the quiff in his hair.

“We can’t get used to the idea of not ever hearing your voice again,” Amy said.

Hundreds of mourners, led by his distraught parents, Jimmy and Catherine, his siblings, Michael, James, Amy, Sean, Emma, Mark and Lisa, his Mayfield Community School classmates and friends from Mayfield Boxing Club, packed into the church.

Gifts symbolising his life were brought to the altar, including a timber wheelbarrow he made in school, a Ferrari plaque he made in metalwork, his school tie, some Jaffa Cake biscuits, and his favourite fragrance, Joop.

Chief celebrant Fr Myles McSweeney, said people are finding it difficult to come to terms with the tragedy.

“The last few days in Mayfield have been bleak ones as we try to find words to express our inner feelings,” he said.

“Feelings of sadness, shock, grief, pain, numbness, anger — the list is indeed endless.

He said Eric, like any other lads of his age, was full of life, fun and adventure and he encouraged people to cherish their happy memories of Eric.

Tony Walsh, the principal of Mayfield Community School, where Eric was a fifth-year student, said he was a kind, gentle and polite young man who had a great love of animals, and who showed great promise as part of the school’s cross country athletics team. He also spoke of talents in art, and woodwork, and his love of music and cooking during home economics.

“He was a good person to have as a friend. He was fun, loyal and he was there when you needed him,” said Mr Walsh.

“Eric was the positive and caring young man that he was due to the love and the care shown to him by his parents. We will remember him as the unique young man that he was in the weeks, and months and years ahead.”

Mayfield Boxing Club coach Brian Cronin said Eric had a big heart and a punch to match.

“I’ve told the club members to remember that every time they step in the ring, Eric will be with them,” he said.

A pony and trap led the funeral cortege from the church, stopping briefly outside the Stanton home, before doves were r eleased as Eric’s remains were laid to rest in Kilcully Cemetery.