Dublin People - Tears flow for tragic Dean

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Tears flow for tragic Dean

Monday, 24 March 2008

HUNDREDS of mourners from Finglas were united in grief last week as popular local child Dean Ward was laid to rest.
The little seven-year-old was knocked down on Saturday March 8 by an unmarked Garda car near the Clearwater Shopping Centre on Finglas Road.
Last Thursday his little white coffin stood at the top of a packed St Oliver Plunkett’s church, bringing tears to the eyes of his young pals who hugged each other and their parents for comfort.
On top of the delicate coffin, which was flagged by candles, lay a picture of a smiling Dean, a baby blue teddy bear and a bible.
Throughout the funeral mass, locals fought back tears as Dean’s classmates of St Oliver Plunkett NS strained their little voices to sing hymns such as ‘My Sheppard is The Lord’.

A basket of handmade flowers – each one lovingly made by Dean’s classmates - was among the symbolic gifts brought up the altar.
An outline of Dean’s tiny hands and feet and a lock of his brown hair was also placed at the altar as a reminder of his short life.
Mountains of bouquets lay at the entrance of the church with messages of love and loss.
“Rest in peace in the arms of the angels,” one message read.
“Dean, you did not die alone, a part of me went with you,” another loved-one wrote.
During the heartbreaking ceremony, a prayer was offered for the driver of the Garda car and for the gardai and emergency services personnel who attended the scene.
After the service mourners gathered outside the church and shared memories of Dean who had always brought a smile to their faces.
Local priest, Father Seamus Ahearne, said a witness at the scene of the tragic accident had told him Dean was among friends when he died.
“The witness said he was surrounded by people who just wanted to hold him Everyone who arrived on the scene knew Dean and just wanted to be there for him,” he said during the funeral mass.
“He was a happy little chap who made a big impression in a short life. His mother described him as someone who would talk the ears off anyone given half the chance.”
Dean’s final journey through Finglas saw his hearse pass Oliver Plunkett NS as many of his school friends and teachers formed a guard of honour.
Speaking before the ceremony, Father Seamus told Northside People that the senior infants pupil was a regular visitor to the church.
“He was a funny little boy and himself and his brother used to be around the church the minute you’d open the door,” he said.
“They’d always ask what time mass was on. They were just very lovely, gentle children.
“Words are useless at a time like this. What do you say? How do you come to terms with a loss of such a young life?”
On a tribute website set up in memory of Dean, his sister Melissa left a touching message.
“Sorry your life ended so quickly little brother but every1 loves and misses ye soo much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx love ye”.
Dean’s grieving parents, Yvonne and Fran, also posted a message for their young son.
“r.i.p my little angel, gone way too soon. love and miss u from mammy and daddy.”
Dean had been walking with his older brother Gary (9) who explained on the website how he made a desperate attempt to pull Dean to safety.
“Sorry I could not save u but it was hard. I tryed to grab u but it was too late,” his heartbroken brother wrote.
“The main thing is now your not on your own u have the rest of the family up there with you. I just wish u were here and none of this happened. its no1s fault u dindt no what was going to happen.”
The outgoing brothers spent many happy days rambling around Finglas and were familiar faces to many.

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