The mother of the victim of a fatal assault told her son’s funeral Mass the family are “humbled” by condolences “from all over Ireland”.
Talented sportsman Dylan McCarthy, 29 sustained fatal injuries when attacked by several men at a pub in Co Kildare on Sunday last week.
He had travelled with family to Monstrevin to celebrate the birth of his godson and nephew Liam.
Read more: Kildare attack victim Dylan McCarthy killed over row that broke out on pub dance floor
Hundreds of mourners who attended the hurler’s funeral Mass at St Peter and Paul’s Church, in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, heard he was a “treasure” to his family. They carried out Mr McCarthy’s wishes by donating his organs which were received by four people in need of life-saving transplant surgeries.
His brave mother Marita recited the first reading and later thanked staff at Tallaght Hospital for their support, and valiant efforts in trying to save her son. She said that “their professionalism and care of Dylan and their kindness to us will never be forgotten”.
She continued: “We are so grateful and blown away by our community, especially the GAA for the guards of honour over the last few days.
“The candlelit vigil [on Friday night] was so comforting and an example of why Kilmallock is the best place in Ireland and probably the world.” Ms McCarthy also thanked the staff at Portlaoise Hospital and St James’s Hospital, Dublin, for treating her husband and Dylan’s father and “best friend” Eamon, who sustained facial injuries during the attack on their son.
She added: “Thank you to the organ donor service who assisted the donation, and the Garda for all you have done for us and to the Garda Family Liaison Officer for keeping us up to date with information.”
Fr Pat Bluett told mourners the entire community of Kilmallock was “shocked and numbed” by Mr McCarthy’s death.
He added: “It never seems right, that parents should lose a child and we cannot but feel that God has got things in the wrong order.
“It is a tragedy for all concerned, a young life needlessly ended, causing so much suffering, pain and grief to those who loved him so dearly, it is a tragedy that we cannot make sense of.”
Players from Kilmallock GAA Club formed a guard of honour as their former teammate’s coffin was taken from the church to Dromin Cemetery.
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