'A shining role model' funeral ceremony of Laois teenager David Brown

Mourners young and old wearing green and white Portlaoise GAA jerseys filled SS Peter and Paul's church, spilling out into the sunlit grounds last Friday April 14 to say goodbye to a beloved son, friend and gifted sportsplayer.

David Brown, 15 who tragically died in a quad accident on Easter Sunday, was remembered by his mother Carmel for his "adventurous spirit".

“On behalf of James and myself, I want to say what a privilege and honour it is to be a parent, especially a parent of three beautiful children, Conor, David and Sarah.

“David lived his life with an adventurous spirit. His kindness, his sense of humour and one of his greatest traits, his empathy for others was always there. The great memories we have of David will hopefully carry me through the long days ahead,” she said.

Teresa Brown gave a eulogy on behalf of the Brown and Maloney families, describing the support they have received as a "tsunami".

"All week the stories and testimonials that were shared about David summed him up as a wonderfully talented, kind, considerate, funny young man, a great sportsperson and a natural leader. A shining role model. This was particularly evident in the house last night when a young 12 year old came to the door last night. He wanted to see David because he had helped him when he was bullied," she said.

She said that James having spent 23 years in the fire service, acknowledges how difficult it was for all the emergency services who attended the scene of the fatality.

"It was all the more difficult because they were friends and colleagues of James," she said.

She noted too the huge crowds who lined the Dublin Road for David, as the cortege travelled from the Brown home in Heathfields, to the church.

"What we witnessed on the mile and half route to the church will be part of the Maloney and Brown history books, the streets were lined with children, people working, and it was a sight that I know will be a crutch in the days ahead."

She said that David's wide circle of friends was the centre of his world.

"He would want you to draw on his memory, to support you through the grief. David would want you to let him be, now, your guide on the side. So when you are in your exam hall doing your Junior Cert and you are stuck on a question, let him be the shoulder. When your team scores the next point, he'll be there. When you lose the next game, he'll support you in blaming the ref."

"As a family and a community we are devastated. But we know that the wave of support we have received over the last five days will continue for James and Carmel, Conor and Sarah.

"We thank you Dave for giving us so many cherished memories, you have left a great legacy behind. We know that you would want us all to look after James and Carmel and Conor and Sarah. In your memory we will honour you and take care of each other. May you now rest in peace, in that big pitch, David, in the sky".

Monsignor John Byrne, who was thanked by the family for rushing to the accident scene to give David the last rites, was Chief Celebrant, with Fr Jim O'Connell, Fr Ger Breen and Fr David Vard as concelebrants.

"The attendance gathered here and outside, speaks volumes of the sad occasion that has gathered us together. It is also a testament to David, whose heartbreaking accidental death on Easter Sunday, has shocked and saddened the whole community, most of all his parents, brother and sister, uncles and aunts, schoolpals, cousins, teammates. 

"Losing a child is a tragedy that no parent should ever have to experience and losing a brother so young is so sad for Conor and Sarah. The family unit is wrenched asunder, broken and brokenhearted. 

"David, a gifted young man, was a gifted sportsman, leading to so much speculation among his club Portlaoise GAA and county officials, as to what will be, looking forward to his progression. His loss is greatly felt by his teammates and the wider community. His death is a reminder of how fragile life can be and how important it is to cherish every moment with our loved ones," Msgr Byrne said.

The gifts to the altar included the jersey, hurl and helmet that David wore playing for Laois in their Celtic Challenge game against Kildare the day before his death. His sister brought a family photograph. 

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Beautiful and poignant songs were sung by Aisling Rohan and James O'Connor, and a commemorative booklet had photos of David with his parents and siblings.  

David Brown was laid to rest in SS Peter & Paul's Cemetery.