The funeral mass for four-year-old Tadgh Farrell, who was killed in an arson attack, has heard that he "filled hearts with a beauty, a light, and a love that will be never swept away".
Mourners at the mass, which was held in St Mary's Church in Edenderry, heard that it was only a week ago that he had been looking forward to watching the Late Late Toy Show.
Parish Priest in Edenderry Fr Gregory Corcoran told mourners that they were gathered in shock and sadness.
Tadgh had been visiting his grandmother and grand-aunt at a house in Castleview Park in Edenderry on Saturday evening, when a suspected petrol bomb was thrown through the front window of the house.
His grand-aunt, 60-year-old Mary Holt, also died in the attack, while his grandmother is continuing to receive treatment in hospital for serious burns.
The funeral cortège was led into the church grounds by three motorbikes, before the small white coffin was carried into the church.
Fr Corcoran read words from Tadgh's mother Shannon Farrell, who said that Tadgh had "filled a lifetime of love" into his four years.
She said that he had a smile that could light any room, and that he taught her what "joy really looks like" and "how precious every moment can be".
She said: "I will find you in every bit of sunshine".
Watch: Fr Corcoran read words from Tadgh's Farrell's mother
In his homily, Fr Corcoran, said that today was one of the times in life, "when words are useless".
"We gather with broken hearts, carrying a grief that feels way too much. We are here because a beautiful little boy Tadgh - so young, so full of life - has been taken from us in a way that makes no sense," he said.
He said that Tadgh was born in June 2021 in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At this time, he said, that cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
He added: "Tadgh - so young, so precious - filled hearts with a beauty, a light, and a love that will never be swept away.
"The blossom disappears from the tree, but it leaves its mark on the season.
"Tadgh too has left a mark - on his family, his home, on our community - a mark that time or tragedy cannot erase.
Prayers were offered for Tadgh's grandmother Pauline who was injured in the fire, along with the emergency services who attended the scene on Saturday.
Words from Tadgh's grandmother Karen were also read to mourners gathered in the church. She said that she would forever think of the little things, and described asking him "what harm are you doing now, Tadgh?" and how five minutes later, he'd "be up to mischief again".
Tadgh was buried following the funeral mass in St Mary's Cemetery.
The funeral of his grand-aunt, Mary Holt, will take place in the same church at 1pm on Sunday.
