Irishman 'has hole in his heart' after marrying and burying wife in the space of a week

A heartbroken husband has said he has a "hole in his heart" following the death of his beautiful partner, in the same week that the pair wed in a hospital chapel.

The Limerick Leader reported that David McLaughlin (35) and his childhood sweetheart Michelle Crowe (33) became husband and wife in University Hospital Limerick's chapel, just days before Michelle passed away from cancer.

In an emotional tribute, David said: "Even if it's just for a short time I want as many people as possible to know how amazing and caring she was and how fortunate I was to be able to love her."

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Speaking to the Limerick Leader, he recalled how amazing Michelle was, revealing the pain he was in after getting married one Monday, and having her wake the following one.

The pair, who were inseparable having met outside a church in Limerick, had been together 19 years and have two children, a 13-year-old boy named Cillian and Oisin, who is just 14-months-old.

David described his late wife as his "best friend in the whole world."

Michelle was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, and despite successful surgery in February, she learned that it had spread to a major organ, her liver.

David and Michelle were granted permission for a special wedding on the grounds of the hospital, with nurses adorning the chapel with decorations, as well as her room in the hospital, which they returned to after the service.

He told the Limerick Leader how grateful he was for the nurses and staff in 6b, as well as to Michelle's family.

Michelle passed away at 2.23am, just five days after their wedding, on Saturday, March 25.

She was surrounded by her loving family. David said he would "honour her memory" every single day and do the best job possible in raising their two boys, to make her proud.

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