CIAN’S ‘GREATEST GIFT’ AS HIS ORGANS HELP TO SAVE FOUR LIVES
GARDAI are appealing for dashcam footage or to speak to any witnesses to a road traffic accident in Shankill which led to the death of a young Dublin schoolboy.
Cian Marren (6) from Oakdale, Ballycullen, died in Temple Street hospital on Sunday, July 30, where he had been since he was knocked down by a van on the Shanganagh Road in Shankill.
On Friday, July 28, Cian was hit by the white van, travelling in the direction of Shankill Village, near the Hazelwood Estate. It is believed Cian and other family members had been visiting the home of one of his grandparents when the tragedy occurred at a pedestrian crossing at the entrance to Hazelwood estate on the busy Shanganagh Road.
Young Cian was rushed to Temple Street Hospital but died on Sunday as a result of his injuries.
The driver of the van has been interviewed by gardaí.
At his funeral mass last Thursday, Cian’s devastated father Liam told the mourners that Cian’s organs had been used to save the lives of four people.
‘In his final act on earth, Cian gave the greatest gift of all, the gift of life, when his organs were donated to save the lives of four people on Sunday evening.
‘Words cannot describe how much we miss and love you. We know you’re in heaven with the angels and we hope that you will always be watching over us.
‘We know we will meet you again, our adorable son.’
St Anne’s Church in Bohernabreena was full to capacity as Cian’s white coffin, which bore messages from his friends written in colourful markers, was carried to the altar for his funeral.
Many of those who had come to pay their respects had to wait outside in the church grounds.
Cian’s mother, Lisa, described the symbols brought up to the altar to represent his life.
His sister Aine carried his hurley, with which he played at the local St Anne’s GAA Club, while his other sister Ciara carried their dog’s lead. The book Little Einstein which was Cian’s favourite and which was read to him by his grandmother on his first stay at her house was also carried to the altar.
His best friend brought Cian’s last Lego creation, and a Thomas The Tank Engine toy was another symbol, along with his favourite teddy, his taekwondo belt and water pistol.
In his eulogy, Cian’s father Liam thanked the paramedics and emergency crews who had battled to save him, and the staff of Temple Street Hospital. ‘Your work allowed us our precious 48 hours to be with Cian, to hold him and to say our goodbyes. For this, we will be eternally grateful,’ said Mr Marren.
‘Cian was our angel and our hero. We had six fantastic years with him, filled with love, fun and an abundance of happy memories.
‘Every evening when I came home from work, I was greeted with Cian running down the hall, a big jump and an embrace as he called out “Daddy”. I always replied: “Buddy”. It was our daily ritual and something I am already missing so, so much.’
He also recalled how Cian would sneak into his parents’ bed, taking his place beside his mum, giving her kisses and hugs, and how he loved adventure, climbing, hurling, football, taekwondo, trucks, trains and building with Lego.
‘When you asked Cian what he would want to do when he grew up, he had two answers,’ he said. ‘First, “I want to be a daddy like you” and the second, “I want to be an inventor.”’
Mr Marren spoke of his son’s mischievous side too, telling mourners how Cian loved getting up on the roof of the car and of how, during one sunny day, he put sun cream on the family’s dog, Shadow.
Gardaí investigating the crash are appealing to anyone who has any information in relation to the collision or to any drivers who may be in possession of ‘dash cam’ and who were in the area at the time of this collision to contact the gardaí at Shankill Garda Station on (01) 666 5900, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Cian is survived by his heartbroken parents, Liam and Lisa, his sisters Áine and Ciara, grandparents, uncles, aunts, extended family, au pairs Laura, Eleanora, Ana and Marina, and all his neighbours and friends.