KIRBY, Ruadhán, Ruadh n

KIRBY, Ruadhán, Kildangan, Co. Kildare (died February 21, 2010) - On the occasion of the celebration his fifth birthday, September 2, 2010, his parents Eamon, Éadaoin, sister Máirín and his new baby brother Fionn, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Kirby and McNamara families and to our friends who supported us throughout our beautiful, brave son's fight against cancer. We would like to convey our appreciation to the medical people who tenderly cared for Ruadhán, most especially our wonderful consultant Dr Jane Pears, liaison nurse Siobhan Broderick and all the staff of St Johns Ward OLHC and at Ronald MacDonald House. Sincere gratitude to our GP Dr Barry Boland and the wonderful nurses from the Irish Cancer Society and the Jack and Jill Foundation, in particular to Nurse Gail Brasil, all of whom made it possible for Ruadhán to die peacefully, free of pain, at home surrounded by all the people and toys that he loved so much. We would like to acknowledge the tremendous support that we received from our friends and colleagues in the Defence Forces, particularly from the GOC and those serving at the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp. We thank everyone who sympathised with us at Ruadhán's funeral Mass and sincerely appreciate the cards and letters that we received and all the donations made in Ruadhán's memory to the Irish Cancer Society and Ronald MacDonald House. As it would be impossible to thank everyone personally, we trust that this acknowledgement will be accepted by all as a token of our appreciation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions. We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to Fr PJ Somers for his friendship and support throughout Ruadhan's illness and for the beautiful and thoughtful ceremony that he conducted in celebration of Ruadhán's short but inspiring life.'Ruadhán held our hands for too
short a time but our hearts forever'