10-YEAR-OLD schoolboy Dylan Coady Coleman “worked five or six miracles by giving new life and hope” to others with the donation of his organs.
That is according to parish priest Fr Michael Geraghty, who paid tribute to the “loving child” at a packed funeral Mass at Mary Immaculate Church in Shannon, County Clare, on Sunday (March 3).
Young Dylan died in the Children’s Health Ireland hospital on Temple Street in Dublin on Wednesday last from injuries sustained in a tragic road crash in the Purcell Park area of Shannon on February 25.
His death came just one day after his mother, Laura Coady, gave birth to his new baby brother, Shane Dylan Coady Coleman.
According to the grieving mother, the young hero got to meet his new brother before his passing.
Ms Coady cradled six day old Shane in her arms as she walked behind her son’s white coffin to the sound of the Liverpool FC anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at the start of the funeral Mass.
The packed church heard a poignant tribute titled ‘Why we love Dylan‘ that his young sister Zoe had put together while he lay in hospital during the week.
The young girl’s tribute was read aloud, detailing to mourners that Dylan’s family loved him “because he is the best, because he helps when I’m hurt, and because he cares about us … and how he reads me books and how he annoys Dad with his quirky ways”.
Mourners complied with the family’s wishes to wear jersey tops and odd socks in tribute to Dylan.
Liverpool and Shannon Town soccer jerseys and an Irish rugby top were presented at the Mass as symbols of Dylan’s life.
Other gifts included Dylan’s Xbox controller, a pair of binoculars he used to watch aircraft with, lego, and two small cuddly toys.
Fr Tom Whelan told the congregation that “Dylan’s accident and subsequent passing has certainly brought a stop to this parish”.
“There is a huge sense in this community of shock, sadness, and loss. Sadness is present everywhere and I found it especially during the week in Dylan’s school, St Tola’s.”
“Certainly when I went into St Tola’s, the tears in the eyes of so many teachers on my visit said it all. Their hearts are with you Garry and with Laura and with all of the family.
Fr Whelan revealed that there was recently a discussion in Dylan’s class about organ donation, and that, “when Dylan came home that day, that was what he talked about with his family”.
“Sadly no one thought that it would happen so quickly.
“Dylan has now given life to a number of other people by being a donor. This is extremely important to his family and they would certainly encourage everyone to think seriously about being an organ donor.”
Fr Whelan said that the family are grateful for the support they received from the Shannon community in the days around Dylan’s passing, as well as to the air ambulance service, An Garda Siochana, and the staff at Temple Street Hospital.
Dylan was laid to rest at the nearby Illaunmanagh Cemetery following the ceremony.
