Tramore remains in shock following the sudden death of Kieran Hayes of Ballycarnane Woods, just over a week before Christmas.
The Holy Cross Church in Tramore was packed to capacity on Friday last (December 21st) as family, friends, fellow students, basketball colleagues, neighbours and the general public paid their respects.Chief Celebrant Father Shane O Neill spoke of the community’s shock and saddened at the tragic turn of events that led to Kieran’s premature death on Monday last. There was disbelief in the town when news of the death of this young man who was in his 18th year.
Fr O’Neill gave a brief homily on Kieran’s life, detailing his time at school in the Holy Cross School; many of Kieran’s former teachers were there, including Principal John Kindlon, while his time at Ard Scoil na Mara was noted.
The late Kieran Hayes, whose Requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday, December 21st.
Kieran, who was an accountancy student at WIT and worked part-time at Farrell’s Garage was known as a gentle giant and was very popular, as evidenced in the many tributes paid to him on social media. He was a friend and a protector of his friends and would accompany them going home in the evening, to make sure they were okay, mourners were told – and he was loved by all.A fine basketball player, many of Kieran’s team mates from the Waterford Vikings Club were also in attendance.
Kieran also liked swimming and playing soccer and representatives from these clubs, in addition to colleagues from WIT, also attended the funeral. Many of those in the church wore wine, which was Kieran’s favourite colour, as a mark of respect.
Poems were read at the Requiem Mass by his brother Shane, who thanked all who attending the Obsequies. Shane said he could not have had a better older brother and noted how Kieran had helped him in football and basketball. “We showed great love for one another,” he said. .Fr O’Neill praised the community for assisting the family in this dark time, adding that, as scripture says, this darkness would lift. In what was a truly moving occasion, Fr Shane was assisted by WIT Chaplain, Fr David Keating and Fr Paul (from China), all of whom celebrated the ceremony in a sensitive and appropriate way.”Kieran was a gentleman,” said his brother Shane, adding that his family would always remember him. Kieran Hayes will be sadly missed by his father Greg, mother Heidi, brother Shane, sisters Kiersha and Rebekah, grandparents Collette and Paddy O’Callaghan (former councillor and Mayor of Tramore), Joe and Theresa Hayes, uncles Mark, Keith and Edward, aunties Sue Ann, Natalie and Carmel, cousins Patrick, Matthew, Kayla, Annie, Joe, Sam, Patrick, Donnacha, Aoife, Oisin, Colin, Dylan and Erika, extended family and neighbours. May he Rest In Peace.
