Heartbroken dad would give his life 'in a heartbeat' to swap places with Limerick hit-and-run victim

“LET me tell you that I love you, that I think about you all the time

Caledonia, you're calling me, and now I'm going home”

The lyrics of Caledonia sung during Holy Communion at the heartbreaking funeral Mass of hit-and-run victim Rory O’Connor captured how much the 17-year-old from Athea was loved and will be missed.

His family, friends, neighbours and schoolmates from Coláiste Íde agus Iosef gathered together as one in St Bartholomew’s Church in Athea this Thursday - everybody in disbelief that the teenager lay in the coffin at the front of the church. Photos of the bright-eyed,smiling young man adorned the altar.

Chief celebrant Canon Thomas Mangan said the fifth-year student had his entire journey ahead of him.

“He was, as those who loved him have said, a beautiful, handsome boy who simply went out to enjoy a day celebrating his birthday at the Listowel Races. Rory brought immense light into his family home, into his school, and into the lives of everyone who were lucky to have known his personality,” said Canon Mangan.

Rory’s sister Becky and dad Pat fought back tears as they spoke at the end of the funeral Mass about their treasured brother and son. They gently touched the coffin with their hands as they walked to the pulpit.

Becky thanked everyone for being at the church and who has helped them since Rory was taken from them in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“This is something I never thought I'd be doing or even doing so soon. I saw Rory last Friday, and I was so happy I did. He looked perfect, wearing his race day outfit that he had been organising for weeks, so excited for the night ahead.

“Me and Rory were always together, whether it was going to the shop, tanning, or even sitting on each other's beds scrolling on our phones. As long as we were near each other, we felt at ease. Our bond is something I will never replace, and it's something I'll mourn for the rest of my life,” said Becky, as she held back tears.

Becky said Rory came into her life when she was five and they spent the next seventeen years helping each other navigate life.

“Now I have to navigate life without him. I remember when my parents told me I was going to be a big sister, Rory sleeping in my mom's belly, feeling you kick until the day you came home. I'm so proud of the boy he was, and he was going to become an amazing man. I've never met a boy that cared so much about people's feelings,” said Becky, who spoke of Rory’s love for his mum Mary and dad Pat.

She said Rory did not have a worry in the world, was a very selfless person and always put others before himself.

“I will never stop talking about you, Rory, and telling everyone about the amazing person you were. Words can't describe the impact you had on my life. You will never realise how loved you really were. I will carry your love wherever life takes me. I wish you got to experience all that life had to give. You had such a bright future.

“In another time, in another place, we'll meet again. For as long as there's a beat in my heart, I will remember you, and you will live forever in our hearts. We love you, Rory,” said Becky, who was supported by her father.

Pat said that Rory was his son, his best friend, and the absolute centre of his world.

“I loved him with every piece of my soul. God knows I would give my own life in a heartbeat just to swap places with Rory to give him back his future.

“He was a young teenager, full of life, pure joy and happiness, with a bright smile that could warm the coldest room. He was at such a beautiful stage in his life, eagerly looking forward to what lay ahead, excited about work, earn a few pound, hang out with his friends, and step into that bright future that has been cruelly taken from him and from us,” said Pat.

He said that Rory loved so many things in life - gym, sports and, most of all, his dear friends.

“He was a Limerick hurling fan to the core. I started taking him to matches when he was just ten- years-old. He fell head over heels in love with the game, the excitement, the craic, the absolute mayhem of it all.

“We travelled to All-Ireland finals together and shared some of the most precious moments of my life. I'll never forget a single second we spent together, but it breaks my heart knowing that we'll never share another match day,” said Pat. One of the many gifts to the altar was a Limerick hurling jersey.

One of Pat’s favourite memories was Father’s Day this year when he and Rory laughed all day.

“Looking back, my entire time with Rory was filled with pure joy, laughter, a light that has now gone dark. He was just so full of love and tender affection.

“He used to always say, ‘I love you, dad’, and give me a kiss before heading out. Heading out the door to school in the mornings, he turned to his mother and said, ‘I love you, mom’. He wouldn't leave until we said it back, ‘We love you too, Rory’. What I wouldn't give to hear his voice at the door just once more,” said Pat.

Their eulogies were met with warm applause by mourners in the church that was overflowing with both people and grief.

Canon Mangan said they are all deeply broken and terribly sad that this moment had come too early, and it shouldn't be so.

“We give thanks for Rory and his huge, immense joy and friendship that we all knew him for. While this moment will take away his presence from us, we know that his memory, his love and kindness, and his personality, will never be lost,” said Canon Mangan, who added that Rory will bring his huge spark of life, laughter and friendship to heaven.

One of Rory’s young cousins, in a prayer of the faithful, said she was going to miss his smile and playing with him so much.

“Please hold Rory extra close in heaven and keep him safe and happy,” she said movingly.

Let It Be was sung at the end of the funeral Mass as Rory’s loved ones prepared to say their final farewell in Holycross Cemetery, Athea.

“When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be”.

May he rest in peace.