There is a “palpable sense of sadness” in the Co Clare community where road traffic victim Dylan Coady-Coleman (10) lived, a local priest said on Thursday.
“You can just feel the sadness around the place. The heads are bowed. People cannot believe it. It’s a tragedy beyond tragedies,” said Fr Tom Whelan, co-parish priest in Shannon.
Dylan’s mother, Laura, gave birth to a baby boy, Shane, on Tuesday.
“One can only begin to imagine what the mother has been through this week,” said Fr Whelan.
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Both of Dylan’s parents grew up in Shannon, he said. It was a very close community where people were trying to do what they could to support the family.
“One of the things they’re telling me is ‘We don’t know what to say’. They cannot actually believe it. It’s almost like living in a mirage. They don’t know what to do.”
Fr Whelan said he had visited the school Dylan attended where teachers were crying.
There were no funeral details yet as the family had been in Dublin with Dylan and his mother had given birth on Tuesday.
An appeal for witnesses to the collision is continuing.
Dylan, who was a pedestrian, was injured in the crash involving a van at Purcell Park, Shannon, on Sunday.
He was initially taken to University Hospital Limerick and was later transferred to Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin.
The primary school Dylan attended said he could be greatly missed and said the school community’s thoughts were with his family.
In a statement on Thursday, St Tolas National School said they are “deeply saddened” by the death of their “beloved pupil”.
“Dylan’s gorgeous smile and kindness endeared him to all in our school community. He was a very popular member of 4th class and will be greatly missed by everyone here in St. Tola’s,” the statement said.
“On behalf of everyone in St. Tola’s we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Dylan’s parents Laura and Garry, his sister Zoe, his baby brother Shane, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and his wide circle of friends here in St. Tolas and in the wider Shannon community.”
It added: “We will always treasure the fond memories we have of Dylan and his time in our school. He will always be a member of our school community.”
Gardaí have appealed to road users with footage who were in the Purcell Park area between 1.45pm and 2.30pm on Sunday to provide it to authorities.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Shannon Garda Station at 061 365900, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
A man in his 20s was arrested in connection with the incident and was later released.
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