The family of a seven-year-old boy who died after he was thrown from a horse have spoken of the loss of their “little angel”, whose greatest joy in life was being with animals.
Patrick McCarthy was riding his horse at Spring Lane, just outside the Traveller accommodation site at Blackpool on the northside of Cork city, at lunchtime on Saturday when a dog nipped the animal's leg, leading it to throw the youngster off. He incurred serious head injuries in the incident.
Patrick was taken to the Mercy University Hospital by his parents Helen and Patrick. However, he was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1.30pm after efforts to save him failed.
A postmortem was due to be carried out yesterday.
Patrick was due to make his Holy Communion next year alongside his classmates at St Oliver's National School in nearby Ballyvolane.
Kieran McCarthy, a grand uncle of the late Patrick, said he was finding it difficult to absorb the sudden loss of such a young child.
“Patrick just loved that pony. It was a freak thing because the terriers bit the back of the horse. It was split second . . .
"He was a little angel. He just loved being out with the animals and playing. He had a great smile. We can't believe that he has been taken from us. It is all so sudden."
Brigid McCarthy, a grand-aunt of Patrick's, said the passing of the child was a "terrible cross to bear" for his loved ones.
“His mother and father Helen and Patrick are sweet, kind, gentle people.” She said Patrick “adored his horse . . . He lived for being up on it”.
Gardaí are investigating the incident.