Mourners yesterday attended the funeral Mass of a “spirited young boy with the world at his feet” who died suddenly while working on his grandfather’s farm.
The remains of 14-year-old Jack Lyons were brought the short journey from his family home at Clouncagh Co Limerick, to the 19th century St Mary's church located across the road.
School children from Deel Rangers and Knockaderry GAA Clubs, Ahalin National School, and SMI Secondary School in Newcastle West provided a guard of honour along the route outside the small church which can hold less than one hundred people.
Several hundred mourners gathered outside to support Carmel and Kevin Lyons as they walked with the coffin carrying their eldest son while comforting their younger twin boys Cormac and Darragh (10).
Jack Lyons collapsed and died in front of his best friend as the pair were power hosing sheds on the farm belonging to his grandfather Paddy Lyons at Ahalin, Ballingarry, last Thursday afternoon.
It was initially believed the teenager was electrocuted but a post mortem did not find electrocution as the cause of death and indicated he may have suffered sudden adult death syndrome.
Symbols of the sports mad 14-year-old’s life were brought to the altar at the beginning of his funeral Mass.
These included a rugby ball representing his commitment to Newcastle West Rugby club, his mobile phone which mourners were told “never left his hand”, a bodhrán because of his love of music and a soccer ball representing Ballingarry Soccer Club where he played at centre back.
The 14-year-old’s aunt Ann O’Regan spoke about the the special bond she shared with her nephew whom she described as a “spirited young boy with the world at his feet”.
She recalled how the teenager had confided in her about girls and “kissing them”, and thanked the “little bird” who recently informed her that the ambition of his first kiss had been realised.
In his homily parish priest Fr Edwin Irwin said 14 was a very short time in a life but said Jack had lived them to the full.
He said the entire community was devastated by the tragedy.