A 10-year-old boy who died in hospital following a road crash in Co Clare on Sunday has been described as a “much loved” pupil with a “gorgeous smile” and a “kind heart” that endeared him to everyone.
Dylan Coady Coleman was struck by a van at Purcell Road in Shannon on Sunday afternoon and died at Children’s Health Ireland, Temple Street, yesterday.
He was a 4th Class pupil at St Tolas NS in Shannon.
In a statement, the school said Dylan will be greatly missed, adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his mum Laura, dad Garry, little sister Zoe and his new baby brother Shane, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, his wider circle of friends, especially here in St Tola’s.”
Dylan’s little brother Shane was born earlier this week.
Co-parish priest in Shannon, Fr Tom Whelan, said there was a “palpable sadness” in the town following the news of Dylan’s death.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said it is a “tragedy beyond tragedies”.
“Everybody’s words are about Dylan and Dylan’s family. You can just feel the sadness around the place. The heads are bowed. People cannot believe it.”
Fr Whelan described the shock and sadness in Dylan’s school on Monday when he visited and said everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with Dylan’s family at this time.
According to the latest figures from An Garda Síochána, 37 people have died on Irish roads since the beginning of the year, including seven pedestrians.
