Heartbreak in Moate after toddler death tragedy

The close knit community of Moate has been plunged into deep mourning following the tragic death of a toddler on Monday last after he was knocked down by a car outside his home at the weekend. 22-month-old Dylan Murray Finneran was struck by the vehicle, thought to be driven by a neighbour who lived a few doors away in the Coillin Buí estate on the Clara Road in the town on Saturday afternoon around 1.45pm. A children's party had been taking place in the area at the time and it's thought the baby was out playing but wandered away from the watchful eye of his guardian. Tragically, despite the cries of children the woman driver didn't see the infant in time. The little boy was later rushed to the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar with serious head injuries before later being transferred by helicopter to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin where he died at 7am Monday morning. A representative of the families said it was a horror story to lose a lovely, little lad coming up to his second birthday. "They are devastated and in shock. It's extremely difficult. It's a real tragedy for a young couple like Sean and Cathriona and their extended families", he said. "It happens all over the country but it really hits home when it is near to you," the family representative added. The infant is the grandson of Eamon Finneran, who runs a shop in the town and a brother of the current Minister for Housing, Michael Finneran. Both sides of the family are well known and respected in the Moate area. All are said to be devastated by the tragic accident which has left the town attempting to come to terms with the loss of someone so young. Messages of sympathy and support for the families were posted in huge numbers on Facebook on Monday and Tuesday and dozens of photos of a cute blonde-haired baby smiling for the camera were put up by members of his family in tribute. His fun-loving, smiling nature was a poignant and heart-breaking reminder of how a life had been ended so tragically and at such a young age. "Everybody is numb. There are no words that can make sense of it all. It's unbelievable to lose someone so young," Cllr Joe Whelan said in the wake of the tragic accident that has left a cloud over the entire area. "I've never seen the town so quiet... It is incomprehensible. It's absolutely shocking, I feel for everyone involved." Meanwhile, Cllr Tom Allen of Fianna Fáil said he wished to convey his deepest sympathies to the families following what he called a freak accident. "Our hearts goes out to everyone involved. It's very sad." Gardai said this week that the collision was under investigation but that it was being treated as a tragic accident. It's understood a number of witnesses were spoken to and a family liaison officer has been appointed by officers to assist the devastated parents of baby Dylan. On Wednesday, the little boy will be waked in his home in Coillin Buí from 4pm. Funeral Mass of the Angels will take place on Thursday in St Patrick's Church, Moate at 12pm with burial afterwards to Kilcurley Cemetery in Tubber.