Hero uncle sacrificed his life own to save niece, funeral told
A 33-YEAR-OLD man sacrificed his life last week by pushing his niece to safety out of the path of an oncoming vehicle, his funeral Mass was told yesterday.
Fr Anthony Gillespie told mourners that Mayo man James Moyles gave himself to save the life of his six-year-old niece Croia.
‘He put her first without a thought for himself, such was his loving nature and his character,’ Fr Gillespie said.
He said Mr Moyles, a dedicated volunteer with the St Vincent de Paul, lived his life selflessly and pointed out there is ‘no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend’.
In a eulogy, Séamus Hyland, a cousin of the deceased, said that Mr Moyles had touched the lives of many people throughout his life with his kindness and good nature.
He continued: ‘The last thing that James did on this earth was to make a split-second decision to save his little niece, Croia, by pushing her away from danger. James showed great courage when it was needed most. He died a hero because of what he did.’
Mr Moyles, who lived at Mount Assumpta, Ballina, Co. Mayo, died at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar on Wednesday last from injuries sustained in a road traffic accident at Lord Edward Street, Ballina, the previous day.
His niece was injured but survived the impact.
Fr Gillespie, assisted by Monsignor Martin Keaveney and Fr Gerry Gillespie, was the main
Live his life ‘fully and joyfully’
celebrant of the funeral Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina. Fr Gillespie told mourners Mr Moyles had enjoyed his life and lived it fully and joyfully.
Mr Hyland thanked the first responders who attended the scene of the impact and the staff of Mayo University Hospital who had tried to save Mr Moyles’s life. He described his cousin as ‘a big guy but not aggressive’ and a hero based on his actions last week.
Gifts brought to the altar included a Mayo jersey and a Manchester United scarf symbolising the deceased’s love for his favourite Gaelic and soccer teams. His burial took place in Leigue Cemetery.
A total of 35 people have been killed on Irish roads so far this year. Also, yesterday, a tenyear-old boy who was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after a crash in Co. Clare on Sunday was transferred to Temple Street children’s hospital in Dublin. A man in his 20s, who was arrested in connection with the incident, has since been released pending further investigations.
Also, on Sunday, gardaí attended the scene of a fatal road collision that occurred at approximately 2.30am in the townland of Rathanker, near Passage West in Co. Cork.
The driver of the car, a man in his 20s, was killed, while two occupants of the vehicle were taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment for their injuries, which are understood to be non-life-threatening.