Tributes paid to ‘lovingly remembered’ Joshua, 6, who died in road tragedy

Tributes paid to ‘lovingly remembered’ Joshua, 6, who died in road tragedy

27 January 2016

A PORTAFERRY family has been plunged into grief after the tragic death of a six year-old boy in a traffic accident.

Joshua Kelly died after being struck by a car outside his home on the Scrabo Road in Newtownards last Wednesday. He was buried on Saturday following Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Portaferry.

Having only recently moved to a new home, his family connections lay in Portaferry.

The Kelly family, Joshua’s parents Clare and Michael and younger sister Saoirse, said in a statement the little boy had “died tragically as the result of an accident.” They added that he would be “lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his sorrowing mummy and daddy and all the Kelly and Prior family circle”.

Councillor Joe Boyle said the Portaferry community had been deeply affected by the tragedy.

“Whenever little Joshua’s remains were brought home to his granny Jean’s in Ashmount Park in Portaferry there was a community outpouring of grief at such a loss of a young life,” he said.

“I visited the home on Friday and had a lengthy conversation with little Joshua’s granny Jean and spoke with his nanny and granda Patricia and Gerry Prior along with his dad Michael. Naturally they were all in a state of shock, possibly even disbelief, but all in extreme grief from what they were experiencing. 

“I offered my heartfelt condolences whilst also realising and understanding that no words of mine were going to ease their obvious pain and grief that they were suffering. 

“I did sense however that they were extremely grateful for the support and comfort that they were being offered by those calling to pay their respects to little Joshua. Having spoken with little Joshua’s heartbroken mum Claire, I reassured her that we would be there for her and the family if they required assistance with anything.”

Councillor Boyle said of the funeral service, attended by six priests: “I know that the priests in attendance brought hugely tremendous comfort to both families, something that has been appreciated by everyone. 

“I would place on record my appreciation to everyone who assisted during this tragic event, particularly to the people of Newtownards, the Scrabo Residents Association and neighbours of Claire living on the Scrabo Road. 

“I would also pay tribute to the Ambulance Service for their efforts in doing their best for little Joshua and I would also extend that appreciation to the PSNI for their co-operation with the traffic control involving the funeral procession along the route to St. Patrick’s Church, Portaferry.”

Joshua was a pupil at St Finian’s Primary School in Newtownards, and its principal Barry Coulter said he was a much loved pupil who would be sadly missed.

“Joshua was a beautiful, kind little boy who was very popular with his classmates and the staff of the school,” he said. “His smile could light up a room and his bubbly, affectionate personality was infectious.”