THE devastated family of a young infant who tragically lost his life in a road accident are dealing with “a real turmoil of emotions”.
Little Hunter Molloy, who was just 18 months old, sadly passed away yesterday afternoon following a “split second” road accident in Co Clare.
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He was rushed to ÂUniversity Hospital Limerick at about 12.30pm, but later pronounced dead.
An autopsy is due to take place today to establish the exact cause of death.
However, it has been reported that initial indications suggest the incident was a tragic accident.
Gardai last night were examining the scene and a car which had been at the scene of the accident at a halting site on the Quin Road in Ennis.
Hunter was the youngest sibling in a family of three, with two older sisters and his mother is due to give birth to a fourth child in “the coming weeks”.
The local community has been plunged into mourning, with Ennis parish priest Fr Tom Ryan telling how life for the family changed “in split second”.
Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland, he said: “Yesterday afternoon, the sun was shining here in Clare and in a split second, life changed for them.
“A life that will never be the same again with the death of their young child in an instant and in a tragic accident that happened.
“At the moment, they are just totally confused, upset, bewildered as any family would be and trying to come to terms with this is really difficult at this time.”
Fr Ryan hailed the local community for rallying around the family in a time of complete tragedy and told how they are dealing with “a real turmoil of emotion, between the joy of birth and the sadness of death”.
He continued: “It’s totally confusing for the family to have to deal with these emotions that have come on them so suddenly and so unexpectedly.
“All we can do as a community and indeed as families is to just support them, be with them, listen to them, journey with them and help them in their pain at this time.”
Fr Ryan held an open air-prayer service for Hunter, his family, neighbours and friends last night where those in the local community gathered to pray for “the strength to get through these days”.
Family pain
The priest last night told how he was previously “privileged” to marry Hunter’s parents Peter and Alisha a number of years ago.
He said: “It is not just a family but families as they are all extended families who are plunged into sadness and tragedy by one second.
“They need support and as a parish priest I was offering them that support and I would have known the family for many years.”
Hunter’s aunt Annmarie shared a post on Facebook yesterday revealing her heartbreak.
She wrote: “My little nephew, was playing with you two minutes before you passed away.
‘My heart can’t take no more’
“My heart can’t take no more. Please lord. Take me away from this cruel world.
“Rip our Hunter. May you have the best bed in heaven.
“Get our Peter and Alisha Peter Molloy through this heartache.
“Uncle Thomas and uncle Jim have their arms wrapped around you no doubt.”
Funeral arrangements for the young child are yet to be announced.
Gardaà have appointed a family liaison officer to support the family.
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