Northern Ireland

Mourners remember `bubbly child with a wonderful smile'

Seven year old Ryan McGovern was killed last weekend
Seven year old Ryan McGovern was killed last weekend Seven year old Ryan McGovern was killed last weekend

A priest at the funeral of Ryan McGovern told mourners that the seven-year-old had "a real joy for life and for people".

Ryan was killed in a road traffic accident near his home at Lattone, Garrison, Co Fermanagh last Sunday.

Parish Priest Fr Tiernan Beggan told a crowd of 2,500 mourners who crammed in and around Mary Queen of Peace Church yesterday that they were saying `slan' to a very special young man.

Low sobs echoed around the chapel as the small white coffin was brought in.

Fr Beggan said Ryan was a young man who packed a lot into his seven years.

He was a "happy bubbly child with a wonderful smile" who was "interested in everything and had a real joy for life and for people," Fr Beggan said.

"Ryan was a great wee farmer and loved all God's creatures but he also had a bright and enquiring mind that was always looking for answers.

"He loved to take things apart, but not with a hammer and I suppose that was the mechanic in him. And he was a great collector as opposed to a hoarder who had things that might be useful in the future, things like a screwdriver, a magnet and various other implements.

"Ryan was very popular in St Martin’s Primary School in Garrison and when he was sent out on a message another classroom, his great personality meant that he came back with all the news."

Ryan was later laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.