'I am sorry I could not save you': Father of Matthew Healy tells mourners to cherish their children at funeral in Cork

A FATHER who lost his son in tragic circumstances in Dunmore East in Co Waterford last Friday has movingly described him as “my little lad, my buddy and my chief” whilst calling on mourners at his funeral to cherish their children.

Hundreds of people attended the mass of the angels of Matthew Healy in Watergrasshill in Co Cork today.

His father James wept as he told them of his excruciating sorrow at losing his beloved son Matthew.

“Matthew — it has been the greatest honour in my life and an absolute pleasure to be your dad. I am so sorry I could not save you, chief.

“I love you.

“Matthew touched the lives of many. He was a popular little boy at school, and much loved by family and friends. His tragic passing has had a devastating impact on all who knew and loved him.

“It is an incomprehensible loss to his little school pals, friends, and cousins who should not know such grief so young.

“We are all utterly heartbroken, but so privileged to have known and loved such a wonderful little lad.

“Matthew had a promising future — he was so bright and far beyond his six years. Many thought he was much older than he actually was, particularly when he was so tall.

“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 our hearts will be forever broken.

“However, we will remember him for who he was and the joy he brought into our lives, and we will continue to celebrate his life into the future.

“To all of you here today, I implore you all to cherish and enjoy your children — do the things that are stone mad, all in the name of fun. You will fondly remember it just as I do.”

Mr Healy said the birth of Matthew had changed his life in the most beautiful of ways.

“Matthew and myself were like two peas in a pod. He was my little lad, my buddy, my chief.

“My sister often referred to us as ‘The Dream Team’.”

Mr Healy thanked paramedics who responded at the scene last Friday.

“I would like to thank the guards, first responders, paramedics, and medical personnel at University Hospital Waterford who looked after Matthew in the early hours of Friday morning. I appreciate everything you did to try to save my poor little man’s life.”

Mr Healy was among the pallbearers who carried the remains of Matthew in a simple white coffin to his funeral Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Watergrasshill.

Mourners lined the streets as the body was brought from the nearby Healy family home.

James Healy is originally from Millstreet, Co Cork, but is living in Watergrasshill.

Symbols of the life of the youngster were brought to the altar by two of his uncles and cousins.

These included Lego cars, jellies, arts and crafts, and Mathew’s cycling helmet. Floral arrangements included ones with teddies on top.

'NOBODY WANTS TO BE HERE'

Fr Christy Fitzgerald, co-parish priest, told the hundreds of mourners: “We are where nobody wants to be today.

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

Fr Fitzgerald said that the family wanted to give thanks for all the lives Matthew touched in his six years on this Earth.

Fr Fitzgerald was joined at the mass by Fr Liam Power, of Ballygunner, Co Waterford.

Matthew lived in Waterford with his mother Ruth Purcell Healy. He was found unresponsive in a car at Rathmoylan Cove, in Dunmore East, last Friday.

Efforts were made to revive him, but he was pronounced dead in hospital.

Matthew attended Faithlegg National School, Co Waterford, where he was a senior infants pupil.

Some of the staff were in attendance, as were coaches of the youngster from Park Rangers AFC in Cheekpoint, Co Waterford.

Matthew lay in repose at the Healy home in Watergrasshill on Monday and Tuesday evening.

Hundreds of mourners lined up outside the house to offer their condolences to Matthew’s father James, his grandfather Tony, his uncles Bill, Dan, and John, and aunt Marita, as well as to extended family members.

Mourners had been asked to make a donation in lieu of flowers to the Make a Wish Foundation www.makeawish.ie. The youngster was then taken to the Island Crematorium, where a private ceremony was held.

His mother Ruth Purcell Healy, 37, appeared before a special sitting of Waterford District Court on Tuesday night charged with his murder. Ms Purcell Healy was remanded before in custody to appear before the court again on February 20.

Judge Kevin Staunton directed that she receive any medically attention which is required when she is in custody.