The heartbroken schoolpals of tragic Brooklyn Colbert have been offered counselling support to help them through their grief.
Brooklyn Colbert, 11, was found dead in a house in Ballynanty in Limerick around 7pm last Sunday night.
A male relative remained in custody on Tuesday after he presented himself at a garda station in Limerick city.
Gardai said they were not releasing details of the boy’s post mortem to the media “for operational reasons”.
Theresa O’Sullivan, Principal, John F Kennedy Memorial School, where Brooklyn had been due to return to last Monday following his mid-term holidays, confirmed the school was “providing supports to the members of our school community” to help pupils through their grief.
“We will remember that playful glint in his eye, which never failed to soften the hearts of his teachers. Brooklyn was a very loveable and kind boy, who was popular with both his peers and teachers, and he had an easy going personality and a good sense of humour,” Ms O’Sullivan said speaking this afternoon.
“Brooklyn was as loyal to his friends as he was to Liverpool FC. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by us all,” she added.
Brooklyn had recently joined Ballynanty Rovers FC, following in the footsteps of his father Wayne, a well-known junior soccer player with Pike Rovers, who also played League of Ireland football with Limerick FC, Shamrock Rovers and Athlone Town.
A tribute posted online by Ballynanty Rovers FC, above a photograph of Brooklyn posing in his club jersey, read: “It is with profound sadness that Ballynanty Rovers has learned of the tragic death of one of our schoolboy players.”
“Brooklyn Colbert played with our U11s team this year and everyone at the club wish to offer our deepest condolences to Brooklyn’s parents and family at this very sad time.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them. RIP Brooklyn x”,” the club added.
Making a fresh appeal for witnesses, a garda spokesman said: “Investigating Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information in relation to this incident.
"Any person who was in the vicinity of Shanabooley Road, Ballynanty or in the Moyross area between 4pm and 7pm on Sunday night 3rd November 2019 and who saw anything suspicious, or to any person who may have information in relation to this investigation, is asked to contact the incident room at Mayorstone Park Garda Station on 061-456989, the Garda Confidential Line 1800- 666 -111 or any Garda Station.
“The man in his 20s arrested in connection with a murder enquiry in Limerick remains in Garda Custody under the provisions of Section 4- Criminal Justice Act 1984.”
The Garda Technical Bureau which on Monday travelled from Dublin to the house in Ballynanty, remained at the property for a second day carrying out forensic examinations.
Local gardai were continuing their house-to-house enquiries in the area. A murder enquiry is underway.
