Caoimhín Mallon: Funeral said Lurgan teenager, 15, who died suddenly had a ‘heart of gold’

The funeral mass for Caoimhín Mallon was held at St. Paul’s Church Lugan on Thursday morning.

Mourners were told the life of the year 11 student from Taghnevan in Lurgan was cut short in ways that are “incomprehensible”.

“We celebrate his little life – a short, short life – and we pray for him in front of his heartbroken family who have come to lay him to rest,” the priest said.

“We don’t understand the death of a child — that’s not right.”

The asthmatic died suddenly and unexpectedly at Craigavon ​​Area Hospital on Sunday.

On behalf of Archbishop Eamon Martin, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald and GAA President Larry McCarthy, condolences were extended to the late teenager’s mother Donna and father Jude.

The community was told that Donna had kept a box of mementos for her son’s 18th birthday but was never able to give it to her boy, who had “a tender smile and a twinkle in his eye.”

Caoimhín’s sister Saoirse said an emotional goodbye to “my little brother, my little man, my best friend.”

“I remember yelling to my teachers at school that I wanted a little brother or sister, and my mum said they’d never been happier to see her walking through the school gate with a stroller “, she said.

“I’ve adored you ever since, I took you under my wing and did my best to keep you on the right track and show you everything in life.”

The sister sobbed heartbroken as she recalled shaving her brother’s eyebrows, dressing up and attending their first concert together.

“It was so hard losing you,” she added. “But you are with me in my memories and in my broken heart.”

Relatives placed sentimental items on the altar, including Caoimhín’s beloved Liverpool top and shawl.

“It was very, very important to him, as was his trips to Anfield,” the priest said.

“He loved chocolate – he didn’t just eat it, he dreamed about it.”

An Armagh GAA jersey was also placed next to Caoimhín’s coffin.

His brother Dáire read the scriptures in Irish before paying tribute to “the best little brother anyone could wish for”.

“He always had a smile and laughed at all your jokes, no matter how bad they were,” he said.

“He had a heart of gold and empathy beyond his years.”

Dáire told those seated, including teachers and the rector of St Ronan’s College, that Caoimhín attended his first Liverpool game with his parents just last year.

“He also had a passion for GAA and was a great defender for St. Paul’s,” he added.

“We were very proud to see him on the pitch.

“He experienced such great love from his family and friends.”

Both the priest and family thanked the paramedics and hospital staff for their “tireless efforts” to save Caoimhín’s life before a moving rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was performed.

The coffin of the deceased was carried out of the church and taken to St Colman’s Cemetery, where he was buried.