Mass to show solidarity with Limerick toddler's family

PEOPLE will have a chance to show their solidarity with the Shanahan family, whose son Neil fell off the balcony of the Strand Hotel in Limerick city, this Thursday evening.

St Munchin’s Church in Clancy’s Strand will host a special Mass at 6pm this Thursday evening, where prayers will be offered for the two-year-old.

He remains in a serious condition in Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin after the fall on Saturday.

There has been an outpouring of support to the family, who live in Farranshone on the city’s northside, with Mayor Kieran O’Hanlon hoping to visit his parents Martina and Tommy, who are maintaining a constant vigil by their son’s bedside.

Neil fell from the sixth-floor balcony while a fundraising community for the Farranshone community was taking place.

It is understood the youngster – who has two siblings – wandered away from his parents in the restaurant on the ground floor.

In a tragic sequence of events,he was able to board the lift which took him to the top floor. Then he walked out onto a table on the balcony, before falling five storeys, landing on patio furniture at the first floor.

Despite young Neil sustaining multiple injuries, Fr Pat Seaver, a neighbour and local curate at St Munchin’s Church, said he understands the child is improving.