A student who died in hospital a few days after he fell from an upper storey of student accommodation in Cork was a "gift beyond measure" for his family because of his zest for life and his good nature, his funeral mass has heard.
Second year Munster Technological University (MTU) student Darragh McCarthy, 21, from Carrigagour, Midleton in Co Cork died in hospital last Tuesday.
He was taken to Cork University Hospital after he fell from the Eden Hall complex on Model Farm Road in the city at around 4am on 6 March.
The incident is being treated as an accident.
His father, Niall, told mourners at the Church of the Most Holy Rosary in Midleton that his son sustained "catastrophic injuries" from which there was "no hope" of recovery.
Poignantly, he noted that Darragh was weighed in hospital twice in his life - at birth and in his final days.
"Our Darragh was born on the 07/07/2003. He first weighed in a beautiful baby boy at 7lbs 6oz and he was measured at 53 centimetres. The second time Darragh was weighed in in hospital was last week. He came in at 6' 2" and a 101kg. A fine cut of a young fella."
Mr McCarthy said Darragh was "easy going, placid, good natured and kind".
"We didn’t have too many tantrums or teenage dramas as he had a steady and relaxed calm way about him.
He added: "He never gave us reason to worry. His signature shoulder squeezes were just what everyone needed after a stressful day.
"The eldest of our three children, Darragh was a typical big brother. Loving without demonstrating it in the obvious ways he showed his love by wanting the best (for his siblings) Aisling and Niall Óg.
"He was protective and caring, but he was a tough coach and had high standards with Aisling - endless training sessions out in the garden. You dare not let him down on the field."
Mr McCarthy said that it was "easy" for his son to develop new friendships.
"He had the ability to light up a room with his big personality and his dress sense.
"But thankfully that dress sense changed after he met (his girlfriend) Sophie. But he did on occasion let it slip.
"We are very grateful that Darragh met Sophie, and they shared very happy memories together."
Mr McCarthy added that the death of a child was the "ultimate loss which should not befall upon any family".
"We are absolutely heartbroken. Our lives and our family will never be the same again. We are grateful to have had the years we had with Darragh.
"When medical intervention was exhausted in consultation with the doctors, we made the decision to remove Darragh from life support.
"So, when that decision was made, we prepared as a family to let his body die.
"When the final support was removed, we pulled the curtain around and gathered around Darragh.
"So, as a father I wanted to make his journey - wherever he has gone - as comfortable for him as possible.
"I put my arms in under his torso and I put my head deep in to his chest and my ear to his heart so his heart was beating, and it got more faint, and more faint, and more faint until it stopped."
Meanwhile, Aisling McCarthy recited a poem which her brother liked called 'The Dash’.
The poem’s speaker reflects on the small dash that connects the year of the person’s birth and the year of their death on a headstone.
The speaker explains that the dash seems insignificant, but that it actually represents all the person has done on this earth.
Chief celebrant at the mass Father Mark Hehir said that Darragh was a "confident and charming young man" who had a real "zest for life".
Fr Hehir stated that Darragh embraced college life and loved sport.
He spoke directly to Darragh’s girlfriend Sophie. He said she and Daragh had found love together and that he would always have a special place in her heart.
Fr Hehir added that "just last week Darragh was playing wing back for MTU".
"He won a medal, and he won the final that night against DCU. Aoife and Niall (his parents) were there and saw nobody else on the pitch but their son bursting with pride they were to share in his victory.
"A member of Midleton GAA sport and his team mates were an integral part of his life. Darragh loved to swim. Weather was never an issue.
"His life was lived to the full. He loved and laughed and he shared."
Offertory gifts included a pair of swimming shorts, a key for a golf buggy - a "perk" of his part time job at Fota Island Resort- along with a picture of Darragh with his beloved dogs and a GAA medal.
Darragh is survived by his parents Niall and Aoife and his siblings Aisling and Niall Óg, his grandmother Marie, extended family and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by three of his grandparents. He was laid to rest this afternoon in the cemetery adjoining the church.
