Updated: 3pm. Additional reporting by Olivia Kelleher.
The funeral of six-year-old Matthew Healy has taken place in Co Cork, days after he died in an incident in Co Waterford.
People lined the streets as his body was brought from his home in Watergrasshill to the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Among those in attendance was Matthew’s father, James, his grandparents, as well as his aunts and uncles.
Matthew was found in a car near a seaside cove in the Rathmoylan area in the early hours of Friday.
Lego cars, jellies, arts and crafts, and Matthew’s cycling helmet were brought to the altar by his uncles and cousins.
Mr Healy addressed those gathered, describing his son as “my little lad, my buddy, and my chief”.
“Matthew – it has been the greatest honour in my life and an absolute pleasure to be your Dad. I am so sorry I could not save you, chief. I love you,” he said.
Matthew touched the lives of many, he said, adding: “It is an incomprehensible loss to his little school pals, friends and cousins who should not know such grief so young.”
“We are all utterly heartbroken but so privileged to have known and loved such a wonderful little lad,” he said, adding that he knows he would have grown into a “most decent and capable man had he been given the chance”.
Mr Healy thanked paramedics, gardaí and staff at University Hospital Waterford for their efforts following the tragedy. “I appreciate everything you did to try to save my poor little man's life,” he said.
Parish priest Father Christy Fitzgerald told mourners: “We are where no one wants to be today.
“Though springtime beckons, and the daffodils are above ground, Matthew’s death leaves us all encircled by pain, sadness and overwhelming grief.
“We seek light to give us hope, to point us in a better direction, to lift some of the burden that grief brings and though for some, faith may be severely challenged and tested at this time.
“We do what we do best at this time. As a community, we come together to offer support, share our condolences and prayers.
“We pray for Matthew’s parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family.
“We do what we do best at this time. As a community, we come together to offer support, share our condolences and prayers.
“We pray for Matthew’s parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family.
“We are very mindful of Matthew’s classmates from senior infants in Faithlegg National School, his teammates in Park Rangers under-7s.
“May God’s peace touch your broken hearts, may He surround you in His great love and may Matthew rest in his eternal peace.”
On Tuesday evening, Ruth Purcell Healy appeared in court charged with Matthew’s murder.
The 37-year-old, of Bishop’s Field, Williamstown Road, Waterford, appeared at Waterford District Court.
She was charged with the murder of Matthew in Rathmoylan, Co Waterford, on February 8th or 9th.
She was remanded in custody at Limerick prison.
