Death of 10-year-old Dylan Coady-Coleman brings ‘dark cloud’ over Shannon, funeral hears

10-year-old Dylan Coady-Coleman was remembered as “lovely” and “caring” to others, his funeral Mass in Shannon heard today.

Dylan Coady-Coleman passed away at Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin on Wednesday morning following a collision in County Clare on Sunday last. Dylan, who was a pedestrian, was injured in an incident involving a van at Purcell Park, Shannon.

He was initially taken to University Hospital Limerick and was later transferred to Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin.

Dylan's parents Garry and Laura welcomed a baby boy on Tuesday at the Rotunda Hospital, which is close to Temple Street where Dylan was being cared for. Baby Shane Coady Coleman has been given the middle name Dylan, after his big brother whom he got to meet before he passed away. 

Mourners donned jerseys and odd socks at today’s funeral Mass in Mary Immaculate Church, Shannon at the request of his family in tribute to Dylan’s love of sports. 

Symbols that “tell a little of the story of Dylan” were brought to the altar including an array of jerseys featuring his favourite team Liverpool, his local soccer and rugby clubs in Shannon Town, and an Ireland rugby jersey. 

An X-Box controller, toys and a lego car were also brought forward to symbolise his love of games, while a pair of binoculars was brought to symbolise his love of watching airplanes. 

“These really are beautiful tokens. When you look at them as parents, especially for our parents here today, these are also the things that your children will be playing with and will love, and part of your memory as well this morning,” said Father Tom Whelan.

“So again thank you for those who brought forward gifts. These are just little things that are part and parcel of Dylan’s life.”

Father Whelan went on to say, “Dylan was described as very normal, very lovely, but there was something very caring about Dylan. There was something easy to attach to. Just a loving child so highly regarded in the school.

“I know that Dylan’s family are so, so grateful for all of the support and friendship that they have received here in Shannon from you, neighbours, friends and wider community over these last days.

“They are so especially grateful to the Air Ambulance Service that came to their need last Sunday. They are extremely grateful to An Garda Siochana for all that they have done for them, and to Temple Street Hospital and all involved in Dylan’s care, and to the care of the family. They want all to know that they are truly, truly grateful.”

The 10-year-old has been hailed a hero in the days since his passing after donating his organs, with his mother Laura confirming on Wednesday that Dylan would be saving five lives. 

“One of the amazing little events that they shared with me was of course the discussion in the classroom about organ donation. They were discussing this in class and what it meant,” Father Whelan recounted. 

“When Dylan came home that day, that is what he talked about with his family and loved ones at home. It really was at the top of his agenda that day, saying that he would certainly want to be an organ donor. Sadly, nobody thought that it would happen so, so quickly. 

“But Dylan has now given life to quite a number of other people by him being a donor. This is extremely important to his family and they would certainly encourage everyone to think seriously about being an organ donor.”

Family friend Claire and Dylan's sister Zoe composed a poignant poem while they were in the hospital about what the 10-year-meant to them.

“Why we love Dylan: because he is the best, because he helps when I am hurt, because he cares about us, how he takes care of Nana and Mum. How he is super funny, how he helps Grandad in the garden, how he’s kind, how he reads me books and how he annoys Dad with his quirky ways. And we just love him.”

Speaking during the Mass, Father Whelan stated: “Dylan’s accident and subsequent passing certainly brought a stop to this parish. 

“It is almost as if a dark cloud just covered Shannon, and the people - all of us - are most assuredly lost for words.

“That great sense that we all want to do something, that is so evident here today and has been every day since. All want to do something to help but sadly we cannot change the reality that is now present. And there is a huge sense in this community of shock and sadness and loss,” he continued.

“The sadness is present everywhere and I found it especially during the week in Dylan’s school, St Tola’s. I just think of the care and the devotion of all the teaching staff and to the pupils in their care. It is just so, so obvious in St Tola’s, as it is in all of the schools here in Shannon parish, they have such a close bond to the children that they are looking after. 

“A very close relationship with them and certainly when I go 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 Laura, and all of the family.”

Dylan will be deeply missed by his heartbroken family, parents Garry and Laura, sister Zoe, and baby brother Shane, his grandparents Deirdre and Ben Coady, Carmel and predeceased Charlie Coleman.

He is also deeply missed by aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, neighbours, his many friends and his classmates in St Tola's school in Shannon.