The parents of a Roscommon teenager with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) have announced the death of their son with tributes flooding in from across the country.
Archie Naughton, one of three siblings with the disease, passed away yesterday.
The 16-year-old's funeral will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Roscommon on Monday.
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A death posted on RIP.ie says that Archie passed away in the care of the "exceptional staff" at the Coronary Care Unit at the Mater Hospital in Dublin.
It describes Archie as "adored and irreplaceable" and says he will be sadly missed by his "heartbroken" parents Paula and Padraic as well as his brothers, twins George and Isaac.
The notice adds that his loss will be felt by his grandmother Nana Kerr, his uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbours, school mates, his many good friends and all those who supported him throughout his illness.
He will be reposing at Smyth's Funeral Home in Roscommon on Saturday from 3pm until 6pm. Due to the current spike in Covid numbers, this will be walk through only, with no handshaking.
Removal will be from his home on Monday morning at 10.15am to the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon (via Castle Street) arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 11am. Burial will take place afterwards at St. Colman's cemetery.
"The Naughton family very much appreciate your support at this time and are aware that people wish to offer their condolences but kindly request that this is done in a socially distanced way. Family flowers only," the death notice adds.
Archie and his two brothers were all diagnosed with DMD, a progressive neuromuscular disease that destroys muscle tissue, in November 2012.
The average global life expectancy for DMD is mid-20s but children as young as six have died from heart failure related to the disease.
She said she and Archie's father Paraic had been praying for a miracle before their son's death.
Tributes have been flooding in for the teenager after his untimely passing.
One woman said: "Nobody in my life so far has ever inspired me as much as Archie, George, Isaac and you Paula and Padraic and the sea of orange that is your community in Roscommon.
"I will never forget you Archie and everything you have done to change my life. I have done things I never thought possible and it is because of you Archie. You were sent to teach us all and now the time has come for you to fly high, be free and do all the things you couldn’t do here on earth.
"You’ll never be forgotten and neither will your legacy. Heartbroken for your family who fought as hard as they could to find a cure and keep you here with them. Sending love to you Paula, Padraic, George, Isaac, Robert, all your extended family and friends and everyone who loved you. Rest in peace Archie," they added.
Another tribute read: "My heart is hurting for your loss. You were such a brave lad and a hero to so many. May God comfort your mam and dad and your beautiful brothers. Sending all my love."
A third said: "Archie was a beautiful young man with a lion heart and a cheeky smile that would melt everyone in the room and wrap them around his finger. My thoughts are with you all during such a challenging time. Wherever your Boy is know that he will keep moving, keep marching and forever fighting."
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