The heartbroken parents of a Cork toddler who drowned in a pond in Youghal, Co Cork, on Saturday decided to have a wake for their son at home yesterday to give them the opportunity to say their goodbyes in private.
Glenn McNamara-Twomey from Hollyhill on the north side of Cork city was pronounced dead shortly before 2pm on Saturday, just hours after he was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital after falling in to a pond in Youghal. The two-year-old is survived by his parents, Elizabeth and Andrew, two older sisters and a brother.
Glen was on a family holiday in the Hilltop Caravan park when he wandered off shortly after 10.30am on Saturday. A couple in a neighbouring caravan found him face-down in a pond in the park a few minutes later. It is thought he was trying to retrieve a toy from the swampy pond when he fell in.
This is the second tragedy to hit the family this summer. Just three weeks ago, Mr Twomey buried his father, Con, after he died suddenly.
Parish priest at St Mary's in Knocknaheeny, Fr Eoin Whooley, said locals were doing their best to assist the McNamara-Twomey's in their hour of need.
"It is a desperate tragedy. The neighbours have been fantastic and they will remember them in their prayers and do the best they can for them. The little boy is reposing at home overnight before his funeral tomorrow. It is a very sad situation."
A neighbour said the whole parish felt "numb" following the death.
"Liz and Andrew are very popular and people are going mad for them. There is a multitude of young children in this estate. There is a sense of sadness and shock. What happened could happen to any parent. The parents are traumatised. I can't imagine what it would be like to have to go through this."
Glenn will be laid to rest following 1pm Mass at St Mary's Church in Knocknaheeny. The local folk group will play at the Mass, with Fr Damien O'Mahony giving the homily. Fr O'Mahony has been comforting the family since the tragedy.
The boy was remembered at masses in Youghal yesterday. Fr Willie Bermingham said the news of his death was greeted with much sadness.
Local Fine Gael councillor Barbara Murray said Glenn McNamara-Twomey's death was the first tragedy at a caravan park in Youghal in living memory and that everyone was stunned by what had happened.