LAST UPDATE | 14 Feb 2024

THE FATHER OF Matthew Healy, who died in tragic circumstances in Co Waterford last Friday, has said it was the “greatest honour” of his life to be his dad. 

Matthew’s body was discovered near a seaside cove in the area of Rathmoylan near Dunmore East shortly after midnight on Friday.

Hundreds of people attended his requiem mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Watergrasshill, Co Cork this afternoon.

The mass was followed by a private service in The Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy.

Speaking at the funeral’s the young boy’s father James Healy said: “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 was a popular little boy at school and much loved by family and friends. His tragic passing has had a devastating impact on all who knew and loved him,” he said. 

Healy said Matthew’s death 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 added: “Matthew’s death is an unimaginable tragedy and our hearts will be forever broken. However, we will remember him for who he was and the joy he brought into our lives and we will continue to celebrate his life into the future.”

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Healy told mourners that “in his so very short six years and nearly nine months on this earth, Matthew made an immense impact – he was a very confident and articulate little man who made friends everywhere he went”.

He thanked paramedics who responded at the scene last Friday for trying so hard to save the life of his son.

Symbols of the life of the youngster were brought to the altar by two of his uncles and cousins.

These included Lego cars, jellies, arts and crafts and Mathew’s cycling helmet. Floral arrangements included ones with teddies on top.

Father Christy Fitzgerald told the funeral mass this afternoon that “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,” he told the mourners.

“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, it is to the Lord we look for that light and hope today,” Father Fitzgerald said.

“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,” he said.

Father Fitzgerald added that they are “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. Amen,” he told the mass.

The funeral notice on RIP.ie said that the young boy will be sadly missed by his “heartbroken” father, grandparents and extended family and friends.

A woman in her 30s was arrested following the discovery of Matthew’s body. She was charged yesterday with the murder of Matthew.

In light of the tragedy, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has been engaging with Matthew’s Faithlegg National School near Dunmore East in Co Waterford.

With reporting by Olivia Kelleher