Gardai in Co Wicklow are treating as murder the death of eight-year-old Karl Murphy, who was found drowned at the north beach in Greystones last Friday night.
A large contingent of uniformed and plainclothes gardai attended the boy's funeral at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ashford, Co Wicklow, yesterday.
The boy's mother, Mrs Ruth Murphy, who was found a short distance from the body, was released from psychiatric care again yesterday to attend the funeral. She had been released from Newcastle Psychiatric Hospital on Sunday night to attend the removal to the church.
Gardai, led by Supt Phil Moynihan, based at Bray Garda station, are awaiting the result of a post-mortem tests. These include toxicology tests to show if there were any drugs in the boy's system. This is normal procedure in instances of suspicious deaths.
Detectives are expected to interview Mrs Murphy and have had discussions with the doctors overseeing her treatment since she admitted herself to Loughlinstown Hospital on Friday night.
Father Edward Barry told the congregation at yesterday's funeral service of the sorrow felt in the district. Describing Karl Murphy as a lively and vivacious boy who had made an impression on everyone, he called on those present to give thanks for his life.
The priest told of visiting the boy's school in Ashford just days before his death. The children had wanted to talk about angels, saints and heaven, he said, and the child who did the most talking was Karl.
Mrs Murphy (35), sobbing uncontrollably and clutching a small teddybear, followed the cortege to Killoughter Cemetery. Following the burial, she remained by the graveside, where she accepted condolences from the large crowd.
The parents were separated 18 months ago and Karl Murphy's father was granted custody of his son.
Karl Murphy was found lying face-down on the north beach in Greystones at 10.45 p.m. on Friday by an off-duty garda, Mr Tom Sullivan, who was leading a scout pack on a hike along the beach. Attempts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene when the emergency services arrived.
Mrs Murphy was found sitting a short distance away beside the cliffs overlooking the beach.
Karl Murphy was last seen by his family in Ashford at about 8 p.m. on Friday. Shortly after that time Mrs Murphy was seen driving him away in a black Honda Civic car. Mr Murphy contacted the gardai, who set up a checkpoint on the N11 route.