Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Conor’s coffin carried by his friends and his father Greg (right). Liam Burke/Press 22

'Conor found something on the internet that went wrong' - Funeral held for tragic teenage boy in Clare

Conor Wilmot died in Sixmilebridge last Thursday.

A PRIEST TODAY sounded a warning over the accidental death of Clare teen, Conor Wilmot where he said that Conor “found something on the internet that went wrong”.

At the funeral mass of the 13-year-old 1st year student, parish priest of Sixmilebridge, Fr Harry Bohan told mourners that it was Conor’s Dad, Greg who found Conor’s body last Thursday night.

Fr Bohan said: “Greg has no doubt that Conor died as a result of a horrible misadventure. Conor found something on the internet that went wrong.”

Fr Bohan told mourners: “That must come as a warning to all of us to be careful as to how we manage exploring worlds we have limited control over.”

At the Church packed full of Conor’s 1st year classmates from St Patrick’s Comprehensive Secondary School in Shannon along with his rugby team mates from St Senan’s, Fr Bohan said that Conor’s family would describe him as “a beautiful soul and to know and love him was a great privilege and they had that privilege for a certain length of time”.

Fr Bohan said that the local community “is in shock” over the loss of Conor “and struggling to understand this tragic loss of a bright and beloved young life”.

Fr Bohan said:

No one knew Conor better than his own family and they would describe Conor, as other people would, as a bright, intelligent, talented human being.

At the end of the mass, Greg Wilmot received a sustained standing ovation after singing and playing his guitar a song entitled Fly On that he penned in tribute to Conor since last Thursday’s tragedy.

The two shared a love of music and had booked tickets to attend a music festival together in Paris next month.

The song included the words ‘We will find a view where everything is one’.

Rugby jersey

Fr Bohan said that Conor was well liked and had many friends and said that there were a dozen of Conor’s friends queuing up and ready to pay tribute to their friend in the church and they made their tributes later at the graveside after the funeral mass.

Earlier, a number of symbols of Conor’s life were offered up including the St Patrick’s Comp school rugby jersey, a woodwork creation Conor had completed at school of the family crest, a Dr Who book and a figure of wresting hero, CM Punk.

In the church, Conor’s white coffin had a St Senan’s jersey draped on top along with a rugby ball.

Fr Bohan said: “In our shock and sadness, we are a community of people in need of much compassion, support and understanding for the journey ahead.

Fr Bohan said that Conor loved science and was an explorer. He recalled that when Conor was born, the nurse told his parents that she believed Conor “to be an old soul”.

The priest told the mourners that for Conor’s family and friends, his “loss leaves a void in their lives that can’t be filled and it is only lessened with time and memories even at that. We as a community want to support the family in any way we can.”

Fr Bohan said:

We say to his family who now endure the incomprehensible loss of a son and brother, nephew and friends, our hearts are with you in compassion and unwavering support, not just today, but in the days and weeks ahead.

He added: “At this time it is easy to get lost in the ‘what onlys’ and ‘what ifs’. While the search for answers is an understandable part of such a tragic loss, it is necessary, I think, to put down our questions and meet one another in the presence of our grief.”

“This a time for genuine companionship and genuine support – not today, not when everyone is at it, but when there are fewer and fewer are around – a grief that will be unfolding in all its stages in the coming months and years.

He said: “A tragedy of a young life lost can provoke strong emotions. We can feel overwhelmed and confused by intensity of feelings we are now experiencing and I know many of you are feeling that. Grieving can be a difficult and potentially isolating experience particularly as life goes on. We don’t put a timeline on grief.”

Conor is survived by his parents, Greg and Irina, sister, Melanie and brother, Ross. Conor was later laid to rest at Ballysheen cemetery.

If you need to talk, contact:

  • Pieta House 1800 247 247 or email mary@pieta.ie (suicide, self-harm)
  • Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
  • Aware 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety)
  • Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
  • Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

Read: ‘She had so much yet to give’: Mourners share fond memories at funeral of Nicola Collins >

Read: Cloud turns to light as Captain Mark Duffy makes his final journey >

View 28 comments
Close
28 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Twomey
    Favourite Mark Twomey
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 8:30 PM

    Finally! Normality is in sight:)

    295
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute HectorPickaxe
    Favourite HectorPickaxe
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 8:49 PM

    @Mark Twomey: Great to see things opening up but I’m surprised at the inter county travel. I would have thought it would make more sense to leave that until last so that clusters could be contained. Then wouldn’t need to lockdown the whole country again because of the dubs….. ;-) only messing

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry Cahill
    Favourite Terry Cahill
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:30 PM

    @HectorPickaxe: Think they got cold feet … Too much too soon … nothing gradual about this. Hope it works .

    68
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Floating Crow Bar
    Favourite Floating Crow Bar
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:43 PM

    @HectorPickaxe: all jokes aside the Dubs ruin it for us all! They never got the hang of social distancing…. keep them in the pale I say…

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Cavey
    Favourite Peter Cavey
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:57 PM

    @HectorPickaxe: if hotels are opening they need inter country travel or else no one would stay in them.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute HectorPickaxe
    Favourite HectorPickaxe
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:07 PM

    @Peter Cavey: Fair point. In saying that, the wife just booked a hotel within 20 mins of home. Great restaurant and staff, and good to support the local trade

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidocasey
    Favourite Aidocasey
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:26 PM

    @Floating Crow Bar: you’re right keep one everyone else out….

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Graham Carrick
    Favourite Graham Carrick
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:33 PM

    @Colin: so you want to stay locked down forever ?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Twomey
    Favourite Mark Twomey
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 11:00 PM

    @Colin: actually Healthcare workers and vulnerable people under 60 are vaccinated. Get your facts!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JongaFe
    Favourite JongaFe
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:20 PM

    People are doing most of this already, what planet are these people living on, traffic coming home from work is pre pandemic proportions, loads of people are meeting outdoors for months.

    191
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute HectorPickaxe
    Favourite HectorPickaxe
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:55 PM

    @JongaFe: They are advising based on what is safe. If you are already doing most of this already then you are going against the public health advice and therefore more likely to pick up covid or infect someone. Not difficult to understand really. Do you want them to start advising that we kiss random people as we pass them?

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dylan Cotter
    Favourite Dylan Cotter
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:57 PM

    @JongaFe: so instead they should…?

    16
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shelley Byrne
    Favourite Shelley Byrne
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:41 PM

    @HectorPickaxe: Calm down, he(she?) is only pointing out the obvious.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JongaFe
    Favourite JongaFe
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 6:49 AM

    @HectorPickaxe: I never said I was doing it, I’m not!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Proudly Italian
    Favourite Proudly Italian
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 8:39 PM

    “Later in the year”? Yeah… sure…. they’ll have to shoot me, not to board that plane…. never spent a summer in Ireland, won’t be the first one this year….

    158
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Watts
    Favourite Alan Watts
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:14 PM

    @Proudly Italian: good luck! Just dont bring anything nasty back please.

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Egan
    Favourite John Egan
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:44 PM

    @Proudly Italian: that’s grand. Us plebs can enjoy summer in Ireland. Jeez it’s not that bad

    54
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Itsonlyme
    Favourite Itsonlyme
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:56 PM

    @John Egan: he’s too proudly Italian to stay here

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidocasey
    Favourite Aidocasey
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:28 PM

    @Proudly Italian: yea but not all planes will be flying…..

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cat Reid
    Favourite Cat Reid
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:52 PM

    @Proudly Italian: why wouldn’t you want to spend a summer in such a beautiful country? It’s gold enough for you the rest of the year!

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cat Reid
    Favourite Cat Reid
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 11:23 PM

    @Proudly Italian: But it’s good enough for you to stay here the rest of the year?! Ireland is beautiful.. I’ve met a few Italian people who like to criticise Ireland, most of which haven’t stepped foot outside Dublin. Completely ignorant comment to make.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Proudly Italian
    Favourite Proudly Italian
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 6:26 AM

    @Cat Reid: don’t get me wrong… Indeed, I’m here mainly because my job is paid very well, and it’s still worth living here.
    But I wouldn’t have stayed for 15 yrs, if I didn’t like this country.
    However, I have also chosen Ireland because was cheap and easy to jump on a plane and spend a weekend to my folks every now and then. And I made a life around it, and so my kids.
    I visited Ireland, of course, but summer is summer… can’t be below 30 degrees…and the kids are too used to spend it at the beach house where their grandparents lives for two months…. that’s why we’re all fed up!

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Franny Ando
    Favourite Franny Ando
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 9:08 AM

    @Proudly Italian: Good Luck hope you get back to see your family. Enjoy

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nollaig Ó Ceallaigh
    Favourite Nollaig Ó Ceallaigh
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 12:02 PM

    @Proudly Italian: Italy. Beach house. 2 months of 30deg+ weather. If that doesn’t explain why you don’t want to spend summer here in Ireland, I don’t know what will! Best of luck to you!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clau Emmett
    Favourite Clau Emmett
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 4:51 PM

    @Proudly Italian: any space for 1 more at the Italian beach house? Asking for a friend :D

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tadhg Lehane
    Favourite Tadhg Lehane
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:26 PM

    Am I the only one that thinks this is a PR exercise. Essentially they get to say they started lifting restrictions. But have they really.
    It’s like : hey Look everyone you can travel, but we’ve made sure there’s nowhere to stay and nothing open to do so there’s no point travelling really. Pretty much still a travel restriction in essence with no services to avail of. Hell, even a toilets a hard to find item.

    112
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger
    Favourite Ger
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:46 PM

    @Tadhg Lehane: yeah it’s just you

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tadhg Lehane
    Favourite Tadhg Lehane
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:09 PM

    @Ger: so what’s so different? You can go to a different Dunnes/Tesco. Lifting restrictions would be if we could avail of local services. Not access identical ones we already have access to but further away.

    23
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Murph
    Favourite Eileen Murph
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:28 PM

    @Tadhg Lehane: Not everybody lives near family, which means they haven’t seen family from other counties in months or met new babies, as is the case here. Most of our families haven’t met our 4.5 month old son and today’s announcement is great news for us.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Captain Unsensible
    Favourite Captain Unsensible
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 11:32 PM

    @Tadhg Lehane: Yes

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger
    Favourite Ger
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 4:45 AM

    @Tadhg Lehane: plenty of people have family in other counties, most of us probably. We’ll be able to see them for the first time since Christmas

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nothing_player
    Favourite Nothing_player
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 8:43 PM

    Does inter county include the 6 counties so can head up for a sesh?

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tarraing Mo Liathróidí
    Favourite Tarraing Mo Liathróidí
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:15 PM

    @Nothing_player: think plenty will be heading up there well before the June reopening hits here especially when they will have indoor dining and pints….

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vlad Eire
    Favourite Vlad Eire
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:18 PM

    @Nothing_player: that’s a bloody good question!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chlo Bo
    Favourite Chlo Bo
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:05 PM

    It’s great to see kids back doing outdoor sports such as GAA but it’s so sad for kids whose passion and talent lie in areas such as gymnastics, dance, yoga, etc. No mentioned of indoor sports and classes for kids?

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Reilly
    Favourite Mark Reilly
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:46 PM

    @Chlo Bo: dance classes are back already?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chlo Bo
    Favourite Chlo Bo
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 12:32 AM

    @Mark Reilly: I think it’s only outdoor dance classes though? I could be wrong! Lots of teachers may not have a location or the means to run outdoor classes and are still running via zoom I believe.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nikki O'Connor
    Favourite Nikki O'Connor
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 8:34 PM

    What about maternity services?

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger
    Favourite Ger
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:45 PM

    @Nikki O’Connor: if your baby is due in May you will have to try to hold on until June

    128
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Walters
    Favourite David Walters
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:59 PM

    @Nikki O’Connor: What about them?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jas
    Favourite Jas
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:29 PM

    And Irish abroad that are fully vaccinated? When can they return without having to quarantine for two weeks and take loads of tests.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute leartius
    Favourite leartius
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:10 PM

    “Level 3 plus” what? 1 or 2 maybe -2. This governments ‘level system’ was supposed to bring clarity for businesses?
    To say ‘the response has evolved since creating the levels system’ is double talk. What did it evolve into? Can our Taoiseach even remember what each level entailed.
    “Level 3 plus” or maybe another level 5.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Roche
    Favourite Daniel Roche
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:18 PM

    @leartius: thought we were done with levels or maybe I’m wrong.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nollaig Ó Ceallaigh
    Favourite Nollaig Ó Ceallaigh
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 11:58 AM

    @leartius: My thoughts exactly. Clarity isn’t something this government tends to do well. That said, I’m perfectly happy with them abandoning this idiotic levels system in favour of just giving clear guidance based on sector. (Still some confusion in certain areas after this announcement, but much clearer than whatever level 4.2398628725349 was supposed to be at least.)

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 8:58 PM

    @Christybhoy67: a pub with a leak??

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Malone
    Favourite Colm Malone
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:07 PM

    Yes…. because certainly no one is already doing those things.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Linehan
    Favourite Thomas Linehan
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 8:41 PM

    Are wet pubs allowed to have open air seating outside their premises

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christybhoy67
    Favourite Christybhoy67
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 8:46 PM

    @Thomas Linehan: what is a wet pub ?

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JongaFe
    Favourite JongaFe
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:17 PM

    @Christybhoy67: no food, just drink, wet drink.

    20
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bluechip78
    Favourite Bluechip78
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 9:25 PM

    @JongaFe: and wet food, wait for the rain in June

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Linehan
    Favourite Thomas Linehan
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 12:37 AM

    @Christybhoy67: flooded

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Reville
    Favourite Mark Reville
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 11:00 PM

    I expected to hear advice with regard to the continued wearing of masks. For how long more and under what circumstances? The same as currently apply?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roman Walczak-Sadlowski
    Favourite Roman Walczak-Sadlowski
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:39 PM

    What’s the story with IBT motorbikes training? Not like we are in close contact with anyone else apart from our Helmets… Nothing mentioned..

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute nineteen
    Favourite nineteen
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 11:08 PM

    Am I reading this correctly: can hotels guests use swimming pool and eat in their restaurants from 2nd of June?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AC
    Favourite AC
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 11:45 PM

    @nineteen: yes that’s what it indicates and fairly sure I heard that earlier too.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Spellman
    Favourite Simon Spellman
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 11:52 PM

    @nineteen: have a look at a hotels bar/restaurant seating capacity and then see how many rooms they have, it’ll be some fun trying to get food there and then nothing open down the road apart from a supermacs /McDonald’s drive thru

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charlene Foley
    Favourite Charlene Foley
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 10:54 PM

    Cam anybody confirm if tattoo services are included in the cluster or personal services mentioned with hairdressers. Tryimg to find out the opening date for tattoo services please.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bill William
    Favourite Bill William
    Report
    Apr 29th 2021, 8:43 PM

    Good job

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Byrne
    Favourite David Byrne
    Report
    Apr 30th 2021, 9:21 AM

    Any word on the reopening of mobile homes

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds