'It's been the greatest honour and absolute pleasure to be your Dad - I'm sorry I couldn't save you': Father's heartbreaking eulogy as Matthew Healy, six, is laid to rest in Ireland after his mother is charged with murder

• Matthew’s mother Ruth Purcell Healy appeared at court in Waterford last night

The father of Matthew Healy has said being the six-year-old’s dad was ‘the honour and privilege of my life’ as he gave a heartbreaking eulogy at the little boy’s funeral.

James Healy spoke through tears during the moving tribute, adding that he was ‘sorry’ he could not save his son, who was found dead in the back of a car in the early hours of Friday morning.

Matthew’s mother Ruth Purcell Healy, 37, appeared in court last night charged with his murder after he was found unresponsive in the parked Renault in Rathmoylan, Co Waterford.

This afternoon, hundreds lined the streets for the boy’s funeral in Co Cork, with mourners seen comforting Mr Healy and one another as they gathered to remember the ‘happy’ and ‘popular’ youngster.

Lego cars, jellies, arts and crafts, and Matthew’s cycling helmet were brought to the altar by his uncles and cousins, and tributes poured in from schoolmates and members of his football club.

James Healy (second from right) carried his son’s coffin at the funeral days, after the little boy was found dead in a car

Matthew Healy (pictured) was found in a car near a seaside cove in the Rathmoylan area in the early hours of Friday

Mourners were seen comforting Mr Healy and one another as they gathered to remember the ‘happy’ and ‘popular’ youngster

‘Matthew – it has been the greatest honour in my life and an absolute pleasure to be your Dad. I am so sorry I could not save you, chief. I love you,’ his father said in front of a congregation at the funeral mass.

‘Matthew touched the lives of many. He was a popular little boy at school and much loved by family and friends. His tragic passing has had a devastating impact on all who knew and loved him,’ he said, according to the Irish Independent.

Mr Healy added that the loss of Matthew was ‘incomprehensible’ to his friends and cousins, who should not have to endure such a loss at such a young age.

He also said that Matthew’s loved ones were ‘privileged’ to have known him, and that his son was ‘so bright and far beyond his six years’.

‘I know that he would have grown into a most decent and capable man had he been given the chance. However, now he will be forever six years old,’ he added.

He said that Matthew’s birth had transformed his life and that he and his son had been inseparable – ‘like two peas in a pod… my little lad, my buddy, my chief.’

Mr Healy led today’s funeral procession, carrying his son’s small white coffin from his home in Watergrasshill to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the same where the little boy was baptised as a baby.

Parish priest Father Christy Fitzgerald told mourners: ‘We are where no one wants to be today.

‘Though springtime beckons, and the daffodils are above ground, Matthew’s death leaves us all encircled by pain, sadness and overwhelming grief.

‘We seek light to give us hope, to point us in a better direction, to lift some of the burden that grief brings and though for some, faith may be severely challenged and tested at this time.

‘We do what we do best at this time. As a community we come together to offer support, share our condolences and prayers.

Matthew’s father James Healy is pictured holding the six-year-old boy’s coffin (right) as mourners gathered for his funeral

‘We pray for Matthew’s parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family.

‘We are very mindful of Matthew’s classmates from senior infants in Faithlegg National School, his teammates in Park Rangers under-7s.

‘May God’s peace touch your broken hearts, may He surround you in His great love and may Matthew rest in his eternal peace.’

He added that ‘Matthew rests now in God’s loving arms, he is forever young with God.’

Following the funeral, a private service was set to be held at The Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy.

Matthew’s death notice reads that he is ‘sadly missed by his heartbroken dad James, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family, neighbours and friends’.

Matthew’s family, including grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and his father, were in attendance at his funeral in Co Cork

It expresses their wish that the youngster will ‘fly with the angels’.

Matthew’s family asked that mourners make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation instead of sending flowers.

Matthew attended Faithlegg National School in Cheekpoint, Co. Waterford.

Park Rangers AFC, the football club where he played with the under-seven squad, posted a tribute online, saying: ‘Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time.’

Matthew was found unresponsive in the back seat of a car near a cove outside the coastal village of Dunmore East in Waterford.

A Garda car parked close to the scene in the Rathmoylan area of Dunmore East, Co Waterford

Frantic efforts were made to save his life, but paramedics were unable to revive him. They took the six-year-old to University Hospital Waterford where he was pronounced dead at 2am last Friday.

His mother Ruth Purcell Healy, of Bishop’s Field, Williamstown Road, Waterford, appeared at Waterford District Court last night.

She was charged with the murder of Matthew on February 8 or 9.

A vigil for Matthew was held earlier this week at the cathedral in Waterford and was led by Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore (pictured)

In his evidence, Detective Sergeant David Shore said the accused was invited to reply to the charge put before her, to which she replied: ‘No thank you.’

The accused was remanded in custody in Limerick Prison until her next court appearance, via videolink on Tuesday of next week, February 20.

Judge Staunton directed that a psychiatric evaluation take place, following a request from defence solicitor Ken Cunningham.

In addition, he directed that the accused receive any medical attention deemed necessary.

An application for High Court bail is expected to be made within the next 14 days.

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