A tragic eight year-old boy mauled to death by two rottweilers has been described as a “superhero” in moving online tributes.
Schoolfriends of little Glen Murphy and his family have been paying their respects in a poignant online book of condolence as they are unable to attend his funeral in the coronavirus outbreak.
Dozens of heartfelt messages and memories were left for his devastated parents Danny and Clare on a page operated by a community group in Brittas, Co Wicklow where Glen attended St Martin’s national school.
Glen was attacked by the family dogs at his home in Saggart, West Dublin last Monday. He died despite desperate attempts to save his life.
The Brittas Community page posted: “We are all heartbroken by the loss of Glen Anderson Murphy who was also a student of St. Martins NS.
“Because of the guidelines in our country at the moment, we are unable to offer the level of support Brittas is renowned for to his family.
“But we pray for them and we think of them in this very difficult time. Those of us who knew Glen will have him embedded in our souls forever. We want to let Clare, Danny and all his family know how much Glen will be missed.
“This is a "Book of Condolence" of sorts. Over the coming days, if you could spare a minute, light a candle or say a prayer to remember him. RIP Superhero Glen.”
The school community expressed its heartbreak and devastation and described Glen as a much loved and beautiful child who had touched the hearts of everyone he met.
One poignant message read: “Thank you for letting me be part of your world even for a short time. I will carry you in my soul forever. It is not the length of life, it is the depth of life.”
Another wrote: “Those of us who knew Glen will have him embedded in our souls forever. RIP to Superhero Glen.”
Family members posted their own special memories and one added: “Thank you all for your lovely kind words.”
His aunt Kelley Anderson wrote: “Thank you all so much for all your lovely kind words about my gorgeous nephew Glen, there are no words to describe the level of heartbreak we are all feeling, reading all your lovely memories you have wrote here this morning have brought tears but happy tears too.”
One parent recalled “Glen and Clare each morning at the school gate, running through the yard, smiling and talking. There are no words to make this better, I hope your little angel will make you smile again in time. RIP Little Man.”
Another asked for a tree to be planted with a plaque in the community so Glen’s schoolpals could have somewhere to remember him.
Many more offered thoughts and prayers to his family and said they could not even imagine the pain they were enduring.
Others recalled how the youngster loved being with his dad among the trucks and buses in the family business yard adjacent to their home.
A small shrine of flowers were also laid outside the driveway of the family home as locals tried to show support while observing social distancing.
