Her son’s toy in hand, mother’s tears for baby Karol
Heartbreaking scenes as tragic Killarney toddler laid to rest in Poland
THE mother of the 11-month-old boy who died tragically in Killarney on Mother’s Day clutched her son’s stuffed toy and sobbed over his small white coffin as he was laid to rest in her Polish hometown yesterday.
Karol Rozycki, who was found dead by his mother Anna, 24, was buried in an ‘angel’s plot’ in a cemetery in the Church of St Martin in Ochaby in the Krakow region of Poland.
‘Karol will be buried in an angel’s plot’
Anna, who also held a bouquet of white flowers, looked on as the priest led prayers outside the church and mourners – many of them with their heads bowed – held umbrellas.
Anna discovered baby Karol at their home in Park Place in Killarney town last Sunday at around 6pm.
His father Andrzej Piolunowicz, 32, lay with serious injuries just metres away from the baby’s body. He was rushed to Cork University Hospital, where he died on Thursday.
Following a memorial service in Killarney on Tuesday, the baby’s body was flown back to Poland.
Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday prior to the funeral, Bishop Dariusz Paneth in Ochaby Male said: ‘ The community is peaceful and solemn but everyone is shocked by the news like everyone in Ireland.
‘Anna’s brother organised everything. It is a very sad time.
‘I do not know Anna’s family but it is a very difficult time.’
Bishop Paneth said there was a special area in the church grounds for babies where Karol was laid to rest.
‘Baby Karol will be buried in the cemetery beside St Martin’s Church in an angel’s plot. It is for the small children; it is a special place,’ he said.
‘More prayers are appreciated for baby Karol than questions,’ he added.
The funeral service took place at 2.30pm yesterday.
Baby Karol’s mother had discovered the little boy lying unresponsive in their apartment complex on Upper High Street, Killarney, shortly after 6pm last Sunday, after she returned from work as a chef in a local hotel.
She immediately contacted gardaí and paramedics treated the infant at the scene.
It’s understood he may have been suffocated and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, Anna Rozycka and her family thanked the people of Co. Kerry for all their support this week.
Ms Rozycka said she was ‘very proud’ to be part of the kindhearted Killarney community.
‘I am impressed how the inhabitants of Killarney can rally around in the face of tragedy. Me and my family are proud to be part of this community. We have met a lot of wonderful people to whom we want to express our gratitude.’
The statement also thanked gardaí, the Polish interpreter, Aghadoe Heights Hotel staff and Killarney priests Fr Piotr Delimat and Fr Kieran O’Brien.
‘We unite in prayer for the soul of our little angel as well as his wonderful, loving mother Anna. I cannot express in words the gratitude for the support of all of you,’ the statement added.
The boy’s father Mr Piolunowicz, a hotel worker, had self-inflicted stab wounds. He was brought to University Hospital Kerry and was later moved to Cork University Hospital.
It’s understood he had a history of depression.
Local undertakers O’Sheas of Killarney and Aer Lingus paid the costs of the repatriation of baby Karol and it’s understood the community sent dozens of wreaths to Poland for yesterday’s funeral.