Touching tribute at funeral of P4 meningitis death girl

The funeral has taken place of seven-year-old schoolgirl Bronagh Kinney, who died from suspected meningitis.
Bronagh Kinney passed away in her mother's arms in the Childrens Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital.Bronagh Kinney passed away in her mother's arms in the Childrens Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital.
Bronagh Kinney passed away in her mother's arms in the Childrens Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital.

St Mary’s Church in Cushendall was filled to capacity as the Requiem Mass took place for the Glenann Primary School pupil.

Father Luke McWilliams, who led the service, told mourners how Bronagh loved her school and was very fond of her teacher.

“She was an intelligent, witty and energetic girl,” he said.

“She always had a beaming smile on her face. She was a real little character who will be sorely missed by so many.”

He said Bronagh would regularly put on impromptu Irish dancing performances and would skip, dance and sing around the house.

Fr McWilliams said she loved playing camogie and had recently taken up judo.

The church was packed with standing room only and Fr McWilliams said there were a lot of Bronagh’s personal things on display during the service including drawings, her school diary and her Irish dancing pumps.

Bronagh was the daughter of Shane and Gina and sister of Michael, Clodagh, Liam and Niall.

She died in her mother’s arms at Royal Victoria Children’s Hospital on Monday, according to her funeral notice.

She was laid to rest yesterday in the cemetery at St Mary’s Church.

Meningitis Research Foundation posted on Facebook: “Absolutely tragic news of two new cases of meningitis in Northern Ireland & Ireland. Our thoughts are with both families at this extremely difficult time.”

The death of 20-year-old Cork student Grainne O’Donnell has also been linked to menigitis.