Boy, 6, killed in Mayo crash was struck just after leaving mass with family as community ‘devastated’ by tragic accident

A LITTLE boy lost his life when he was struck by a car after leaving mass in Co Mayo, it has emerged.

Six-year-old Cian Rowland, from Crossmolina, died after the collision at 11.20am on Sunday.

Following the tragic incident at the N59 at Eskeragh, near Ballina, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

It happened just seconds after he had left mass at Our Lady’s Of Mercy Church, Eskeragh, with his family.

We understand the driver of the car, who was travelling in his vehicle with his wife and children, was known to the boy’s family.

The scene was later examined by Garda Forensic Collision investigators.

One source said: “This is an awful tragedy for the little boy’s family and the wider community in Crossmolina.”

Local Fine Gael councillor John O’Hara, who knows the family, offered his support to Cian’s relatives and friends.

He added: “The community has been left devastated and will take a long time to recover from this.”

And local Fianna Fail councillor Annie May Reape added: “This is a dreadful tragedy and is every parent’s worst nightmare.

“Words can’t really describe the sense of devastation that hangs over the village of Crossmolina.”

A death notice for tragic Cian shared on RIP.ie said that he was the “beloved son of Noel and Leona”.

Cian was the “cherished brother” of Norah, Micheál and Sinéad and “doting grandson of Nana Julia Rowland, Nanny Carmel and Goggie Mickey Lavelle”.

The notice continued: “Cian will be sadly missed by his Aunts, Uncles, his little cousins, grandaunts, granduncles, his school friends, teachers, SNAs, his personal assistant, Tara relatives, kind neighbours and his many friends.”

Cian will repose at Hineys Funeral Home, Crossmolina, tomorrow from 5pm to 8pm.

His funeral will be held at St Tiernan’s Church on Wednesday at 1pm followed by burial in Crossmolina Cemetery.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward.