RIP: Loss of ‘adored’ ‘beautiful little boy’ shakes community

Tributes are pouring in following the death of nine year old Leon Briody. 

Leon Briody of Castletara, county Cavan, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a long battle with leukaemia, yesterday, 11 September.

An Garda Síochána for Cavan/Monaghan posted on social media: “We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of adored Honorary Garda Leon Briody” and published an original poem by Garda Paula Behan in Leon’s memory.  

The Cavan Garda Síochána said Leon - a Little Blue Hero - greeted everyone with a smile. 

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Cavan GAA also published a tribute for the young boy: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Leon's loving parents Alan and Diane, his brothers Fionán, Caolán, his sister Allie, extended family, all in Ballyhaise GAA and community at this extremely tough time.”

“Our County Hurling Player, Shane Briody, is an uncle of Leon's and Leon was very proud of this. To see Shane play in Croke Park in this year's Lory Meagher Final was another wonderful occasion for the family.”

His death notice states that he will be “Sadly missed by his loving parents Alan and Diane, his brothers Fionán, Caolán, and his sister Allie, his grandparents, Eileen and Patsy Briody and Rita McEntee, his uncles and aunts, Barry (Sharon), Shane (Siobhán), Dylan, Tracey (Tomas), Michael (Aisling), Kathleen (Enda), Patrick (Michelle), and Declan (Laura), his cousins, grandaunts and granduncles, relatives, football friends from Ballyhaise Football Club, his classmates from St Patrick’s National School, neighbours and many friends.”

A funeral for Leon will take place this Sunday at 1pm in St Patrick’s Church, Castletara, followed by cremation in Lakelands Crematorium, Dublin Road, Cavan.