'Our special angels now’: Limerick mother and newborn son laid to rest

THE Limerick mother and her newborn baby, who both tragically passed away at Cork University Maternity Hospital this week, were laid to rest this Saturday in their home parish. 

Thirty six-year-old Marie Downey, who grew up in Ballyagran before moving to Kildorrery, and her four-day old baby Daragh were laid to rest this Saturday in Castletown Cemetery. 

Hundreds of mourners filled St Michaels Church and its surrounding grounds in Balyagran to pay their final respects to the late Ms Downey and to her beautiful baby boy. 

Marie was a woman with a “heart of gold” who did everything for her sons, and Darragh's big brothers, James and Sean, her husband Kieran told mourners at their Requiem Mass. 

“She always put us first. We were her life and she was ours." 

Marie and Darragh are their family's "special angels now", he cried. 

Speaking from the pulpit, a heartbroken Kieran thanked the staff at Cork University Maternity Hospital for their help and care during Darragh’s delivery and in the days following the tragedy. 

He also thanked the communities of Castletown, Ballyagran and Kildorrery and the surrounding areas, for their support in recent days. 

The couple had shared their first dance to We Have Only Just Begun, he told mourners. 

"We had only just begun. We love you Marie and Darragh." 

Gifts including Marie’s collection of jerseys and a handbag were placed on her coffin, to represent her love of sport and her love of shopping. 

A huge Limerick hurling fan, Marie proudly lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup when it came to Kildorrery in recent weeks.

A photograph taken when Darragh was born and teddy bears were also placed on the coffin. 

At the Requiem Mass, Parish Priest Father Joseph Shire reflected on how this day last week, the family had been celebrating their new arrival, but soon after their “tears of joy” had turned to tears of anguish, sorrow and despair. 

The late Ms Downey is remembered as a devoted mother who did everything for her children and a fantastic colleague to her work mates in Ringnaskiddy, Cork, Fr Shire said. 

Marie Downey (née Cullinane) grew up in Ballyagran before moving to Knockanevin, Kildorrery to build a life with her beloved husband, Kieran.

Deeply mourned by her  husband Kieran, her adored sons and Darragh's big brothers James and Sean, her loving parents Jim and Helen, parents-in-law Tom and Alma, brother-in-law Patrick, sisters-in-law, Una, Fiona, Ellen and Mairead, aunts, uncles, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

May they rest in peace.