'Cherish and enjoy your kids,' father of six-year-old Matthew Healy tells funeral mass

"I know that he would have grown into a most decent and capable man, had he been given the chance. However, now he will be forever six years old," James Healy told those who gathered to say goodbye to six-year-old Matthew.

The coffin of Matthew Healy is shouldered into the Church of the Immaculate Conception for requiem mass in Watergrasshill, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

The father of six-year-old Matthew Healy moved an entire congregation to tears as he uttered the heartbreaking words: “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you".

People lined the streets as Matthew was brought from his home in Watergrasshill to the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Among those attending the funeral include Matthew’s father, James, grandparents, as well as aunts and uncles.

James spoke through broken sobs while he urged mourners at his son’s funeral to “cherish and enjoy your kids".

The grief-stricken father also appealed to parents to “do the things that are stone mad, all in the name of fun".

Matthew was found in a car near a seaside cove in the Rathmoylan area in the early hours of Friday.

Lego cars, jellies, arts and crafts, and Matthew’s cycling helmet were brought to the altar by his uncles and cousins.

James reiterated his abounding love for Matthew and told mourners: “Matthew had a promising future. He was so bright and far beyond his six years.

Matthew with his father, James. 

"I know that he would have grown into a most decent and capable man, had he been given the chance. However, now he will be forever six years old.

“Matthew’s death is an unimaginable tragedy and will be forever more. However, we need not remember this. We will remember him for who he was we will continue to celebrate his life into the future.

"I implore you all to cherish and enjoy your kids. Do the things that are stone mad, all in the name of fun so you will fondly remember them just as I do now.” 

Mr Healy recalled how strangers would stop him on the street when Matthew was an infant.

“When Matthew was born I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. It was like being hit by a train.

It is only when you experience this kind of love that you realise how incredibly overwhelming it is. I loved him so much and I knew straight away that I had an extraordinary little man on my hands."

He said Matthew was a beautiful child "in every way".

"He had striking blue eyes, blond curly hair, a gorgeous smile and the most infectious laugh. He was pure joy. I couldn’t count the number of times I was stopped on the street by people commenting on how beautiful he was.

"He was beautiful in many ways. Matthew was a very affectionate child. He was full of divilment and a bit of craic. He just loved a bit of fun.” He described his son’s infectious nature.

“In his very short six years and nearly nine months on this earth Matthew made an immense impact. He was a very confident and articulate little man who made friends everywhere he went.

"If he didn’t know anyone when he got there, they’d all know him by the time he was leaving.” 

Matthew was found in a car near a seaside cove in the Rathmoylan area in the early hours of Friday. Picture: RIP.ie

Parish priest Father Christy Fitzgerald told mourners: “We are where no one wants to be today.

“Though springtime beckons, and the daffodils are above ground, Matthew’s death leaves us all encircled by pain, sadness and overwhelming grief.

“We seek light to give us hope, to point us in a better direction, to lift some of the burden that grief brings and though for some, faith may be severely challenged and tested at this time.

“We do what we do best at this time. As a community we come together to offer support, share our condolences and prayers.

“We pray for Matthew’s parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family.

“We are very mindful of Matthew’s classmates from senior infants in Faithlegg National School, his teammates in Park Rangers under-7s.

“May God’s peace touch your broken hearts, may He surround you in His great love and may Matthew rest in his eternal peace.” 

On Tuesday, Ruth Purcell Healy appeared in court charged with Matthew’s murder.

The 37-year-old, of Bishop’s Field, Williamstown Road, Waterford, appeared at Waterford District Court.

She was charged with the murder of Matthew in Rathmoylan, Co Waterford, on February 8 or 9.

She was remanded in custody at Limerick prison.