Family heartache as child laid to rest after ‘eight short years of life filled with fun & adventure’ after farm tragedy
MOURNERS today heard that an eight-year-old boy who died in a quad bike accident had a "life filled with fun and adventure".
Tragic Finn McGrath sadly lost his life in a Co Monaghan farm accident involving a quad bike over the weekend.
The child, from Dunaree, Laragh, Castleblayney, was airlifted to hospital following the accident but sadly passed away at Temple Street Hospital in Dublin on Saturday.
Finn, who is predeceased by his infant brother Kenan, has been remembered as the "adored, precious son" of heartbroken parents Paul and Caroline and beloved brother of Jack and Ella-Rose.
He is the cherished grandson to James and Martina McGrath, Peadar and Rose Keenan, with a notice online adding: "Remembered with love by his aunts and uncles, cousins, extended family and friends."
Mourners today gathered inside and outside a packed-out St. Mary’s Church in Lisdoonan to bid a final goodbye to the youngster.
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Students from Lisdoonan National School, where Finn was a pupil, performed a guard of honour in tribute to the child before the mass.
Speaking at the funeral mass in a poem written from Finn's point of view, a mourner read: "In my eight short years, my life was filled with fun and adventure.
"A mummy and a daddy who loved me with everything they had. My great big brother Jack, my wish was to be just like you. My sister Ella-Rose, to argue with, mixed in with kisses and cuddles too.
"Daddy showed me how to fix things, while Granda Peader would have it broke by the time the two of us were through.
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"Granda James, who thought there was nothing I couldn't do.
"Nanny Rose and Nanny Tina, to fill me with love and sweets, because that's what nannies do.
"Aunts, uncles and all my cousins. Family parties, farming, tractors and a few fights too. Not forgetting my school friends and the fun I had with all of you.
"I have to go to heaven now and leave you all behind, but I know I live forever in all of your hearts and minds.
"There is a lot of work to do up here, to watch over all of you, but always know that me and Kenan are in everything you do."
Mourners were told how Finn was a "busy little man" in so many ways who lived a "wonderful full life".
Members of Finn's family brought items symbolising his passions and interests to the altar, representing his "great variety and love of life".
The first item brought up to the altar was a Massey Ferguson tractor and a calf, to represent Finn's love for farming alongside his grandad Peadar.
Vice-grips were also taken up to display the young boy's love for mechanics, which he enjoyed with his dad.
'DEEP LOVE WITHIN FAMILY'
A statue of a mother and son representing the "wonderful and loving bond" between mum Caroline and Finn was also placed on his casket whilst a family photograph displayed the "deep love held within this family".
Finn's schoolbag was also taken up to the altar in representation of his love for all his friends in school.
The parish priest said: "Of course on the school bag we see the Grass Men, reminding us that for Finn, even at school, never forgot the Grass Men, the farming, and the rural way of life.
"And I just placed the book of the Gospels here on Finn's coffin, simply reminding us the Gospels are the story of the love, the care of Jesus for each one, each one was very precious in God's eyes, Finn, little angel of God in heaven."
Fr Jim Campbell told how it was "hugely impressive" to see so many people from the community gathered to support the McGrath family.
He said: "This doesn't happen everywhere. Certainly doesn't happen in England, where I come from.
"So you are to be commended for your generosity. For your love for the family. For each other. For the community."
The HSA have confirmed that they are investigating the incident.