FINAL GOODBYE

Immense pain will weigh on us forever but heaven has a bright angel, says grieving family of tot who died in hol tragedy

THE family of Brandon Thomas Byrne have told how their "pain will weigh heavily on them forever" following the tot's tragic death.

21-month-old Brandon died after being struck by a jeep near Ballinagare in Co. Roscommon last Friday.

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Brandon Thomas Byrne passed away aged 21 months
Family and friends this morning walked behind the limousine carrying the remains of BrandonCredit: Collins Photo Agency
Brandon's remains were taken from the Church of St. Philip the Apostle, Mountview, Clonsilla after the funeralCredit: Collins Photo Agency

Every pew in the Church of St. Philip the Apostle, Mountview, Clonsilla was filled this morning with devastated mourners wanting to pay tribute to the young boy.

Mourners struggled to hold back their tears as Brandon's uncle read out a statement from the tot's devastated mum Louise Kehir and dad Andrew Byrne.

Louise's brother said: "Good morning everyone and thank you for being here on such a tragic occasion and providing so much good support to Louise and Andy and our families."

Reading out words put together by Andrew and Louise, he said: "Our gorgeous, beautiful cuddle bug Brandon has left a huge void in our hearts. He is and was the happiest little boy you would ever meet. He would look at you with his big brown eyes and cheeky little grin and you would give him anything.

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"He gave so much love to everyone he met, he was a sociable little boy, he loved being in the mix. He'd a great appetite for exploring and going on adventures whether it was in his back garden or all the neighbours back gardens.

"They welcomed him in... and nothing gave Brandon more joy than splashing in water or collecting stones and putting them on his lawnmower and bringing them over to show mammy and daddy.

"He loved playing peek-a-boo with his daddy on the bed, like he did that morning, or sitting down to a big dinner of spaghetti or his beloved Batchelors baked beans, all the while being entertained by his daddy doing incy wincy spider.

"Brandon, you were so full of life and zest that kept mammy and daddy going. We have no rationale as to why you were taken away from us. We take solace knowing all you ever knew was pure love and no hate or evil.

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"You've done so much in your 21-months here with us, and although we hoped for longer, you're off on a new adventure and can look over us and you can tell us about it when we meet again as the three musketeers. Love you always, mammy and daddy."

Brandon's uncle added: "I don't think you'll find more dedicated parents than Louise and Andy. I'm so proud of Louise as my sister, who has a natural maternal instinct, and to see her with Brandon... It was a real joy.

"And to see Andy really thrive and grow into a marvellous father, the two of them together gave him a wonderful, wonderful life.

"In his short life he was some traveller, he was recently in Lanzarote and before that he was island hopping to Clare Island.

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"That's the type of character Brandon was going to be, he was going to be very comfortable with everybody. He was going to be cherished.

"He was going to bring a bit of light into your day when you needed it. And it's symbolised by the amount of family that knew him so well and so closely, friends and neighbours.

"I know his grandparents are feeling particular hardship and pain and sorrow. My dad James and Noelene and Fran, we all feel that loss with you and we know how much you loved him, being the only grandson on both sides. He really didn't know how good he had it!

FAMILY'S GRIEF

"That pain is a symbol of that love and it's weighing very, very heavily on us at the moment and it will weigh on us for the rest of our lives... but he's always going to be with us in our hearts, he'll always be cherished.

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"We have a photograph for every day, every smile and we'll be able to look back at them.

"We've been through tragedy before and I know my mother Margaret and my wife Siobhan will be looking after him.

"He was a beacon of light and happiness and love and heaven has received a really bright angel. May Brandon rest in peace."

A small white coffin was placed in the centre of the altar with a large sunflower-filled bouquet on top.

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Floral sunflower tributes and pictures of the youngster had been left at the scene of the collision at Ballinagare on Sunday.

Two bunches of colourful balloons were placed on either side of Brandon's coffin and a small table displayed gifts representing the tot's life.

Family and friends Dave, Alison, Bridgie and Liv presented Brandon's lawnmower, his red bowl and beaker, his yellow toy truck and his guitar.

TOUCHING TRIBUTE

Fr John Owen then addressed funeralgoers and paid a touching tribute to tragic Brandon.

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Fr Owen said: "On behalf of the parish community I want to extend our condolences to Brandon's mum and dad, Louise and Andrew, his grandparents James and Noelene and Fran, his uncles Richard and Mark, relatives, friends and neighbours. We also bring into our prayers his late grandmother Margaret, his aunt Siobhan and his great grandmother Rose.

"The family of Brandon have suffered a great loss and as a community we all feel their loss and we support them.

"When a child like Brandon dies, we are inclined to speak of promise rather than achievement. The most important thing about Brandon is not what he might have achieved but the fact that he was. In fact, Brandon has achieved something. He has left all of you a nice store of memories to treasure.

"Little Brandon died fragrant with innocence. Brandon was like a rainbow, a rainbow that has faded and now is gone home to God. We let him go, but like God he's never far from us."

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The 10am mass was followed by burial in Mulhuddart Cemetery.

Brandon's death statement read: "Brandon, the most beautiful little light and adorable son of Louise Kehir and Andrew Byrne and cherished grandson of James, Noelene and Fran; Predeceased by his grandmother Margaret and aunt Siobhan.

"Sadly missed by his heartbroken parents, grandparents, his uncles Richard and Mark, relatives, friends and neighbours."

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Brandon's uncle read out a statement from the tot's grieving parents
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