- Matthew’s mother Ruth Purcell Healy appeared at court in Waterford last night
The heartbroken father of six-year-old Matthew Healy carried his son’s coffin as hundreds lined the streets ahead of his funeral in Co Cork this afternoon, days after the little boy was found dead in a car.
Matthew’s mother Ruth Purcell Healy, 37, appeared in court last night charged with his murder after he was found unresponsive in the back of a parked Renault in Rathmoylan, Co Waterford, in the early hours of Friday.
Locals lined the streets as his body was brought from his home in Watergrasshill to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the same church where Matthew was baptised.
Matthew’s father James led the procession alongside other members of the boy’s family, and was expected to address the congregation during his son’s funeral mass.
Lego cars, jellies, arts and crafts, and Matthew’s cycling helmet were brought to the altar by his uncles and cousins, and tributes poured in from schoolmates and members of his football club.
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 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.’
He added that ‘Matthew rests now in God’s loving arms, he is forever young with God.’
Following the funeral, a private service was set to be held at The Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy.
Matthew’s death notice reads that he is ‘sadly missed by his heartbroken dad James, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family, neighbours and friends’.
It expresses their wish that the youngster will ‘fly with the angels’.
Matthew’s family asked that mourners make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation instead of sending flowers.
Matthew attended Faithlegg National School in Cheekpoint, Co. Waterford.
Park Rangers AFC, the football club where he played with the under-seven squad, posted a tribute online, saying: ‘Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time.’
Matthew was found unresponsive in the back seat of a car near a cove outside the coastal village of Dunmore East in Waterford.
Frantic efforts were made to save his life, but paramedics were unable to revive him. They took the six-year-old to University Hospital Waterford where he was pronounced dead at 2am last Friday.
His mother Ruth Purcell Healy, of Bishop’s Field, Williamstown Road, Waterford, appeared at Waterford District Court last night.
She was charged with the murder of Matthew on February 8 or 9.
In his evidence, Detective Sergeant David Shore said the accused was invited to reply to the charge put before her, to which she replied: ‘No thank you.’
The accused was remanded in custody in Limerick Prison until her next court appearance, via videolink on Tuesday of next week, February 20.
Judge Staunton directed that a psychiatric evaluation take place, following a request from defence solicitor Ken Cunningham.
In addition, he directed that the accused receive any medical attention deemed necessary.
An application for High Court bail is expected to be made within the next 14 days.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
