Northern Ireland

'Hero' Eva Tomney laid to rest after brain tumour battle

Little Eva Tomney (7) who passed away at the weekend, three years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour
Little Eva Tomney (7) who passed away at the weekend, three years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour Little Eva Tomney (7) who passed away at the weekend, three years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour

A PRIEST has described the death of a seven-year-old girl who battled a brain tumour and was trying to walk again as a "tragedy".

Fr Eamonn McCampley was speaking after the funeral Mass of little Eva Tomney in Keady yesterday.

"It was a lovely Mass and everyone did very well. This was a such a tragedy for the family and wider community," the parish priest said.

Earlier this year Eva's heartbroken parents, Kellie and Paddy, launched a campaign to raise £15,000 for specialist equipment to aid her mobility. They had almost reached their target

The little girl died suddenly last Saturday, three years after being diagnosed with a rare tumour that spread to her spine.

Hundreds of people attended the emotional ceremony at St Patrick’s Church in the town yesterday.

In a moving tribute following her passing, her family described her as their "hero".

"Throughout treatment following diagnosis she demonstrated tenacity, determination and courage way over and above what anyone could have hoped or imagined," they said.

The former pupil of Clea primary school was a bright, bubbly baby and was about to start playschool when she started to complain of a sore neck and was losing her balance. She was about to turn four years old.

Eva went through a gruelling 12-hour operation to remove the tumour and a further nine months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and two stem cell transplants.

Despite being declared cancer-free, her condition deteriorated and she became confined to a wheelchair.

She was determined to walk again to play with her older brother, Paddy, who she adored.

"She had a very special bond with her brother," said Eva's aunt, Tracy Hughes.

"His heart and patience served her so lovingly throughout her time of need. She knew his love and he knew hers."