When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night,
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
The words of Shakespeare, from Romeo and Juliet, were quoted by Father Denis Nulty at the Requiem Mass for the murdered 18-month-old child Jack Everitt Brennan.
Close to 1,000 people filled St Mary's church in Drogheda on Saturday afternoon to pay their last respects. A small teddy bear and flowers rested on his tiny white coffin. It was carried by his father, Mr Mark Everitt, grandfather Mr Patsy Everitt, and two other family members.
The tragedy and the emotions the killing evoked were referred to by the parish priest. "The past few days will be etched forever in the minds and hearts of little Jack's family. We gather with strong emotions and tongue-tied - no words, no language, no vernacular can touch the pain and hurt in the hearts of the Everitts and Brennans."
Last Wednesday morning was like any other Wednesday morning on the Marsh Road. In a few short hours that had changed. "The Marsh Road, in the shadow of the Victorian railway viaduct so much a symbol of St Mary's parish in Drogheda, became public property for the wrong reasons," Father Nulty said.
He told the congregation that Jack was born on the September 18th, 1998, and baptised two months later in Beaumont Hospital. "Do not think of him as having gone away but that his journey has just begun and that he is resting," he said.
Dozens of children were among the mourners and some said special prayers at the offering of gifts.
After he blessed the coffin and the packed church fell silent, Father Nulty articulated the feelings of the town. "Words fail when it comes to understanding the sudden passing of an 18-month-old baby boy. The parish, community and country has been moved by Jack's death but none more so than his parents Barbara and Mark, and his grandparents Patsy and Paula, Tony and Pattie."
The child's uncle, Mr David Brennan (18), remains on remand on a charge of murder. He is due to appear before Drogheda District Court on Friday.