Funeral this afternoon of boy (13) killed in tractor tragedy

THE funeral of a 13-year-old boy who died on Sunday following a single-vehicle collision close to the village of Hollymount is to take place this afternoon.

Kyle Pilbrow of Bushfield, Hollymount will be buried in Hollymount Cemetery after 2pm Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Roundfort.

The South Mayo region was plunged into mourning over the last few days as news spread that Kyle had died from injuries sustained when a tractor he was driving overturned at a junction not far from his home.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted shortly after 8.15pm on Saturday. They attended the scene of the accident, which occurred at the L1610 at Scarduane, Claremorris.

Kyle, who was the sole occupant of the tractor, was treated at the scene for serious injuries and removed to Galway University Hospital.

He was subsequently transferred to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin, where he passed away after his life support machine was switched off on Sunday.

He was a past pupil of Roundfort NS and was a First Year student in St Colman’s College in Claremorris.

Kyle also played football for Garrymore GAA Club and is survived by his two older brothers, one younger brother, parents and three grandparents.

‘A great character’

SPEAKING to The Mayo News earlier this week, Fr Mike Murphy, Parish Priest of Robeen, Roundfort and Carras, paid tribute to Kyle.

“Everybody would have memories of Kyle. He was the type of guy who made memories for others and a great character,” Fr Murphy told The Mayo News.

“All his family, friends, everybody is devastated.

“It’s very hard, especially on all his family, Mam and Dad. He has three brothers. He was very close to all his grandparents as well.

“He was a really nice friendly lad, everybody loved him,” added Fr Murphy.

“He was such a kind person and was such fun to be with, always great fun to be with.

“He’d sit down with anybody, it didn’t matter who it was. He’d sit down with them and have a cup of tea. He was a really lovely friendly lad. He’d talk to anybody. It didn’t matter whether they were 90 years old or nine years.

“When he was here in the national school he’d be sitting down chatting to the infants. In secondary school he’d be chatting to the Leaving Certs as a First Year. He was that sort of a lad, he’d sit and talk to anybody and always very good to people and very kind. He was a lovely lad. If you met him, you wouldn’t forget him.”

‘Fun and joy’

ALAN Canny, Principal of Roundfort NS, told The Mayo News that the staff and students at the school were ‘distraught’ at Kyle’s passing.

“Everyone is distraught and full of sadness. But, we were saying, that the great paradox is you’re sad about losing Kyle, but once you think about Kyle you start laughing and smiling.

“Because that’s what he did, every time he was here and every time we think of him. He still brings a smile to our face.”

Mr Canny said that Kyle ‘brought great spirit, and fun and joy’ to the school during his time as a student there.

He also described him as ‘a great actor’ who stood out various in school plays over the years.

“The staff of Roundfort NS have very fond memories of his charisma and charm,” Mr Canny said. “He was just a nice, nice kid who everyone liked. Everyone. Everyone liked him.”

‘Awful cloud’

Local county councillor Tom Connolly described the incident as ‘a tragedy’.

“I want to extend my sincere sympathies to the family, neighbours and friends,” Cllr Connolly told The Mayo News.

“It’s sad. It’s an awful cloud over the area,” he said.

St Colman's College in Claremorris also released the following statement: “Our school community is deeply saddened by the sudden death of our first-year student, Kyle Pilbrow. Kyle will be remembered for his lovely personality, his friendly smile and his pleasant demeanour. We will all miss him terribly as a school community and we are keeping his mam and dad and his three brothers, Ethan, Alex and Morgan, in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. May Kyle's gentle soul Rest in Peace."

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 937 2080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Kyle will be sadly missed by his loving parents Janny and Lisa, brothers Morgan, Alex and Ethan, grandparents Seamus and Veronica Nevin and Renate Pilbrow, his cousins, extended family, relatives, neighbours and his many friends. May he rest in peace.