Tributes have been paid to a 12-year-old girl with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy who has died at Cork University Hospital after a life filled with courage as she battled many obstacles.
Abbey McGeough, also known by the shortened version of her name Abi, was born with hydrocephalus - a blockage of fluid to the brain - and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in 2009.
In the past week, as she lay critically ill in hospital, the Cork Ambulance Service, the Defence Forces, Cork City Fire Brigade, Cork gardaí and the Cork Airport Police Fire Service shone lights and lit candles in her honour.
The Irish Air Corps Helicopter's MediVac helicopter shone a light from its base in Athlone whilst the Naval Service lit up the LE George Bernard Shaw.
Cork City Hall even lit up in pink for Abbey after local journalist Sarah Horgan proposed the idea to the Lord Mayor John Sheehan.
A prayer service was also held for the fifth class pupil of Rathpeacon National School at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Blarney on 30 April. Parents, staff and children watched the service by live stream.
Ambulance paramedic Ger O'Dea, who co-ordinated the 'Shine a Light for Abbey' initiative, released a statement on behalf of the family in which he confirmed the death of the youngster.
"It is with a very heavy heart that I write this post on behalf of Abi's mom Leslianne, her grandparents Phil and Abina, aunts, uncles, family to bring the heartbreaking news that their wonderful princess has gotten her wings today and joined the angels in heaven.
"She lit up so many rooms with her smile and touched so many people with her journey so may she now rest in peace and shine her light on all those who will miss her dearly.
"Sincere thanks to all who lit it up for Abi and brought support and comfort to her family while she was in hospital."
Her former pre-school Glenfields Community Care remembered the Abbey as a child who never let obstacles get in her way.
"She was in a wheelchair and had other underlying health conditions but nothing ever stopped her. She smiled and laughed every day. Abi knew what fun was and she had an infectious sense of humour and knew how to get around all of us. She had so much courage and determination in her short life."
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The parish of Blarney, Whitechurch, Waterloo and Rathpeacon paid tribute to Abbey, a native of Dublin Hill in Cork, on its Facebook page.
"Our brave battler slipped away peacefully late this afternoon. Another angel in heaven."
Abbey's mother Leslianne fundraised €60,000 for an operation in 2014 which enabled her daughter to walk using a mobility aid.
Abbey, who was a keen member of the Rebel Wheelers club, also underwent a life changing operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy at St Louis' Children's Hospital in Missouri.
