Immense sadness as mother and son laid to rest together in Ballina

by Tom Shiel

A grieving husband and father spoke of his eternal love for his wife and son, who died in tragic circumstances in Dublin last week, at their funeral in Ballina today.

Darren Coleman told the restricted gathering of mourners present in St. Muredach’s Cathedral and those online that: “Henry and Nicola were everything to me and I’ll remember them forever."

Nicola, a paediatric nurse who was attached to Crumlin Childrens’ Hospital, was laid to rest alongside baby Henry in Leigue Cemetery following Requiem Mass for the repose of their gentle souls.

The young mother and her infant were found dead, at separate locations, in the Lucan area of Dublin over a week ago.

The deaths are being treated by gardai as a family tragedy.

At today’s Requiem Mass, Darren Coleman, a native of the Knockmore area, said he and Nicola had been together since the age of 17 and spent very few days apart during this time.

“I loved Nicola and my eyes lit up whenever I’d see her," he continued.

“We just enjoyed being in each other’s company."

Mr. Coleman also paid a touching tribute to his son Henry, who came into their lives last February, and with whom he feel in love immediately.

Fr. Tom Doherty, the chief celebrant, said hearts were paralysed in shared grief and shared loss since news of the deaths broke.

He admitted he had no answers, adding: “I am trying to make sense of it all. This is one of the occasions where words are not only inadequate but useless."

Fr. Doherty consoled mourners that “death is not the end of the friendship and affection that tie people together throughout their lives.”

He went on to describe Nicola as 'a kind-hearted and considerate person' and said Henry was 'a little lad full of love and smiles'.

“It goes without saying that none of us today will ever forget them," Fr. Doherty added.