Latest news with #ScoilMhuire
Irish Times
16-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Girl (12) who died in Tipperary swimming accident ‘shone like a light', funeral hears
Mourners at the funeral of 12-year-old Freya Tobin have heard she 'shone like a light, even on the darkest of days'. Freya, from the village of Newcastle, Co Tipperary , died after getting into difficulty while swimming in the River Suir last Friday. At Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Newcastle on Wednesday, Claire Moloney, principal of Scoil Mhuire, Caisleán Nua, read a eulogy on behalf of Freya's mother Shannen. Mourners heard Freya was named after the goddess of love and 'by God did she honour that name'. She filled her family's life with 'so much love' and had a 'funny, happy and caring personality'. READ MORE The eulogy said: 'Freya was not only my daughter but my best friend and my rock. She shone like a light even on the darkest of days. I was so proud of how much love she brought to everyone no matter where she was. 'I'll never forget the way Freya would light up a room just by entering it. The brightness she brought will never fade.' Ms Moloney continued to relay Freya's mother's words. Mourners were told that a family's world came crashing down when 'our angel was taken from us so suddenly'. The school principal went on to thank all who helped the emergency services and who risked their lives, as well as Cork University Hospital, and the staff, pupils and management at the school Freya was a sixth-class pupil in. Ms Moloney also thanked neighbours, friends and Fr Michael Toomey, who presided over the funeral Mass. Freya's friend Sean paid tribute to her, saying she was a 'wonderful person inside and out'. 'Freya could make me laugh at any time and I mean belly laugh at the most random things. I have great memories, actually too many to count,' he said. [ Community 'numb' following death of 12-year-old girl in Co Tipperary swimming accident Opens in new window ] 'She was like my other half. I actually don't know what I am going to do without her. This is not something I thought I would be facing. There will be so much fun up there [in heaven]. Nothing will ever replace our friendship. Goodbye and I'll never forget you. From your dear friend Sean.' Fr Toomey said: 'There are times in life that we are left speechless . . . Nothing I can say to reverse that process. It all seems wrong. The reason you feel this way is because you love her.'
BreakingNews.ie
16-07-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Girl (12) who died in Co Tipperary swimming tragedy was filled with 'love and beauty', funeral hears
Sixth class pupil Freya Tobin who died after getting into difficulty while swimming with a friend in Co Tipperary was filled with 'love and beauty' mourners at her Requiem Mass heard. The 12-year-old girl from the village Newcastle had been swimming in the river Suir last Friday when tragedy struck and despite efforts by locals, emergency services and Cork University medical staff Freya died. Advertisement At the start of her Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Newcastle Claire Moloney, Principal of Scoil Mhuire Caisleán Nun on behalf of Freya's mother Shannen spoke about the impact her young daughter had on her life. Ms Moloney detailed how 12 years ago a 'precious little angel was sent' to Shannen. 'A beautiful dark haired little baby with the most beautiful piercing blue eyes. I named her Freya after goddess of love and beauty and by God did she honour that name. She instantly filled mine and my family's life with so much love. Her funny, happy and caring personality only grew stronger as each year passed,' Ms Moloney told mourners. She continued: 'Freya was not only my daughter but my best friend and my rock. She shun like a light even on the darkest of days. I was so proud of how much love she brought to everyone no matter where she was. Advertisement "I'll never forget the way Freya would light up a room just by entering it. The brightness she brought will never fade. I loved her strong will which allowed her to express how she felt. "She was the best big sister to Grayson, always looking out for him even though they fought like cats and dogs.' Ms Moloney recounted how last Friday the world of Freya's family came crashing down when 'our angel was taken from us so suddenly. "Although we will never make sense of a tragedy like this, we can honor Freya by carrying her spirit with us through our memories and our love for one another.' Advertisement Freya's school principal went on to thank all who helped the unbearable emergency services, Air Ambulance Cork University Hospital and all who risked their lives. Her national school management, staff and pupils, and Fr Michael Toomey, neighbours and friends. Those gathered in the church were told how Freya had a side-kick called Sean and he paid tribute to his friend. 'Freya was a wonderful person inside and out. I have no idea why she was taken from us but God must have really needed her. Freya could make me laugh at any time and I mean belly laugh I mean at the most random things. I have great memories, actually too many to count,' he said. 'She was like my other half. I actually don't know what I am going to do without her. This is not something I thought I would be facing. Advertisement "There will be so much fun up there (heaven) Nothing will ever replace our friendship. Goodbye and I'll never forget you from your dear friend Sean.' Symbols of Freya's life including a packet of jellies, a teddy bear with candles belonging to her late great grandmother. make-up, music by Ariana Grande and a picture collage were presented to the congregation. Fr Michael Toomey, Parish Priest Administrator for the parish of Ardfinnan, Ballybacon, Fourmilewater, Grange and Newcastle added: 'There are times in life that we are left speechless. A journey of emotions in the days ahead. For some of us it has not yet hit us that Freya is gone. Why did Freya (had to die)?, I have no satisfactory answers to that. Nothing I can say to reverse that process. It all seems wrong. The reason you feel this way is because you love her.' Mourners heard that Freya was a bright, kind, spirited young person. 'She made a lasting impression on everyone she knew. It is ok to cry. Advertisement "This is nobody's fault, it was a tragic accident. Don't try to suppress feelings, dwelling what could have been will not help the healing. She thought the world of you all. 'We are all immensely proud of how you have handled this. To Shannen and Eddie, I can't offer you any answers. To lose a child is surely one of the most painful experiences anyone has to endure. Maybe she was just too good for this world,' Fr Toomey concluded. As her white coffin was carried from the church the Dean Lewis song, 'How Do I Say Goodbye' was played as she was brought to be laid to rest in the new cemetery, in Mollough, Co Tipperary.
BreakingNews.ie
14-07-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Funeral details announced for girl (12) who died in Tipperary swimming tragedy
Funeral details have been announced for a 12-year-old girl who died after she get into difficulty while swimming in the River Suir in Newcastle, Co Tipperary, last Friday afternoon. Freya Tobin of Lynch Terrace in Newcastle was due to start first year in a local secondary school next September. Advertisement The student of Scoil Mhuire Caislean Nua in Newcastle was airlifted to Cork University Hospital following the incident which occurred shortly after 4pm last Friday. She died onsite. In a death notice on her loved ones say that Freya will be 'sadly missed' by her mother Shannen, father Eddie and his family, her siblings Grayson, Eddie and Stephanie, her grandmother Nanna Triona and her partner Tom, grandfather OJ and his partner Colleen, her uncle Dylan and his partner Ericka, her aunt Amber, grandaunts, granduncles, cousins, extended family and her many friends. She was predeceased by her grandmother Laura. Freya will lie in repose at the home of her grandmother Triona at Graig Mhuire, Newcastle on Tuesday afternoon from 2pm to 5pm. Advertisement Her coffin will be brought to Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Newcastle on Wednesday morning where a requiem mass will take place at noon. Freya will be laid to rest in the new cemetery in Mollough. The funeral mass will be live streamed. Meanwhile, mourners are asked to make a donation, if desired, to River Rescue in lieu of flowers. A Go Fund me page set up to pay for the funeral of the youngster has exceeded its target. The organiser of the Go Fund Me, Kayleigh Tobin, said that Freya was the 'kindest, most gentle soul to grace the community of Newcastle.' 'Her presence was magnetic. Her death leaves behind a wave of deep sorrow and regret. There wasn't a single person who did not know her name, nor whom she wouldn't have said hello to when passing through the village. "She touched the hearts of every single person that had hte pleasure of knowing her, and you couldn't help but leave her company with a smile on your face.'
Irish Independent
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Leitrim national school pupils forced to cross busy road and learn in converted toilets amid new school plea
For over a decade, the parents association, staff and the school community have been calling for a new school building on a single campus to replace the current Scoil Mhuire. The need for the new school on a green field site emerged as the girls and boys national school in Carrick on Shannon merged in 2013. However, the school remains on two campuses despite the school population doubling in that time. Since the amalgamation, the school has fallen into a state of disrepair and campaigners say not a single classroom is fit for purpose. Despite the poor conditions, no commitment has ever been given by the Department of Education for a new school building. Recently, John Campion Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, visited the school and met with some members of the New School Committee. Mr Davey saw first hand the conditions within the school and said the facilities within each building are 'severely inadequate', with a technical report from the Department of Education issued several years ago calling the school building "sub-standard". Mr Davey said 'I had the privilege of being shown around the two campus Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Shannon, by members of the staff and parent body. 'I had been asked to attend by Senator Nessa Cosgrove to see how she could help with their campaign for a new school building. 'The most glaring issue is immediately evident. "The school is spread across two different campuses, the former girls school and the former boys school. "I heard how Scoil Mhuire had been one of the earlier proponents of amalgamations, they embraced the change enthusiastically, yet they still exist across two campuses. 'Apart from the damage this does to a sense of a school identity, it is a hazard for children crossing roads to go from one school to the other. 'It also results in the ridiculous situation of many parents dropping off and collecting children from each campus every day for multiple years,' said Mr Davey. Mr Davey observed the school has 'gone out of its way' to cater for the increased number of students but building a new school is the 'logical thing to do'. 'The PE Hall is tiny, for the numbers of children attending, having been subdivided to provide additional learning spaces. "The school has gone out of its way to welcome increased numbers of children from many different cultures and backgrounds many of these have language needs. 'As in all schools, there are more children with additional needs, which must be met. 'I saw converted corridors, store rooms and even rooms which had formerly housed toilets and hand washing facilities converted into Special Education Needs classrooms. 'The two campuses dating from 1953 and 1963 must be a nightmare to heat in winter, and to keep cool in a hot summer. "The savings on energy costs alone, never mind the environmental impact, must make construction of a new school the logical thing to do. 'Despite the very real challenges faced by the school, the commitment which the school Principal, Staff and Parent body show to the children is phenomenal,' said Mr Davey. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that funding was granted to provide a two mainstream classroom extension for Scoil Mhuire. While the funding was welcomed, it does not provide a long term solution. "While the promise of two new modular classrooms over the summer is welcome, in terms of learning space, it does nothing to address the core issues highlighted, and in fact will further reduce the amount of outdoor space available for play,' said Mr Davey. "As an Early Years Educator, I am fully aware of the importance of having outdoor space for physical activity and play. "It is a fundamental part of a child's holistic development, particularly their physical, emotional and social development. 'The school community are not campaigning for a new school to have a shiny new building to work from. "They are doing it because they feel a real bond with the children and families they educate and care for. 'Inclusive practice is at the heart of everything that is done at Scoil Mhuire. "The passion of the teachers and the happiness of the children to be at school is written all over them,' said Mr Davey. Leitrim County Council has identified a suitable greenfield site close to the current school building and the school are happy with the proposed site. Mr Davey continued, 'All we need now is for the Government to commit to funding the new building. "Senator Cosgrove has committed to highlighting the need for a new school building, which has the support of all four local TDs, and will be hoping to raise the matter personally with the Minister for Education before the summer recess. 'Carrick-on-Shannon is the County Town of Leitrim, it is a fast growing town and it deserves a National School which reflects its developing and changing needs,' said Mr Davey. A spokesperson for the school said, 'On Tuesday, June 17th, John Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, met with some members of the New School Committee. 2The meeting went well, and John assured us he would pass on all information to Senator Nessa Cosgrove. 'We call on all politicians and members of the wider community to put pressure wherever they can to help us secure a new school for Carrick-on-Shannon.'
Extra.ie
29-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Man held after web threat to kill children sparks school lockdown
A National school was put in lockdown yesterday morning after it emerged a 'disturbed' man who threatened to kill children was in the area. The man, arrested yesterday afternoon, had made graphic threats to Irish children, saying he was going to target them because Irish people had 'p*ssed me off'. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin The video, which was circulated online earlier this week, showed a man lying on a bed addressing the camera. He said: 'Irish, I'm coming on top of you now. I'm gonna be slicing your babies, kids and you, good for everybody. Get ready, because you p*ssed me off.' Pic: Karl M Photography/Shutterstock The video had been flagged multiple times on several social media websites but had not been removed. A search conducted yesterday evening revealed that the video was still easily accessible online. Scoil Mhuire, on the Ballyroan Road in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, closed its doors as a precaution yesterday morning when it emerged that the man may be in the area. An official Garda spokesman said officers investigating 'alleged threats shared online have arrested one male in Abbeyleix', adding that the man was 'detained at a Garda station in the Eastern Region'.
