Eight-year-old Matthew Breen was a boy who radiated joy, curiosity, and mischief.
Every morning, he would bounce out of bed, eager to greet the day and the people he loved.
His laughter filled the rooms of his home in Rathnew, Co Wicklow, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him.
Matthew had two brothers and two sisters, and as the eldest, he took pride in being their guide, protector, and sometimes their playful tormentor.
He was a boy full of life, whose heart seemed too big for someone so small.
It was a Thursday, November 6, when a seemingly ordinary accident would set the stage for a tragedy that no family could ever have imagined.
Matthew, while at school, broke his arm in two places.
The initial shock of the injury was softened by the fact that he was, by all accounts, otherwise healthy.
His mother, Ciara, comforted him as paramedics carefully loaded him into an ambulance.
They reassured her that it was a routine injury, a setback that surgery could repair.
Matthew was taken to a hospital, where doctors assessed the broken bones and, after some initial care, discharged him.
Ciara, ever vigilant, arranged for him to be admitted to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin for surgery to fix his arm.
She watched her little boy with a mother’s protective eyes, not knowing that in the days ahead, her world would be shattered.
After admission, Matthew’s condition suddenly began to deteriorate.
He was prescribed tablets and steroids to relieve symptoms, yet he spent hours vomiting, weak and distressed.
A second dose of steroids was administered to help him, but soon, Matthew began to experience difficulty breathing.
Hospital staff instructed Ciara to walk him around the hospital corridors and give him water, believing that movement might ease his discomfort.
Eventually, he was sent home.
But by the following Monday, November 10, Matthew’s health had worsened dramatically.
His breathing grew labored, and his body seemed unable to recover.
Emergency services were called as his condition became critical.
Paramedics raced to his family home, providing urgent care and rushing him back to Crumlin Hospital.
Matthew was placed into an induced coma, connected to a life support machine, fighting against forces his young body could not endure.
Through the tense hours, his family stood by his bedside, holding his tiny hand, whispering prayers and words of love, refusing to leave him alone.
Every second felt like an eternity, filled with hope, fear, and the unbearable weight of uncertainty.
Despite the best efforts of medical staff, Matthew’s condition could not be reversed.
On Monday, November 17, surrounded by his grieving family, Matthew Breen passed away.
The room that had once been filled with his laughter now echoed with sorrow, a silence heavier than words could describe.
He was only eight years old.
The family’s heartbreak was unimaginable, a parent’s worst nightmare realized.
The community rallied around the Breen family.
Ciara’s sister-in-law, Lauren Frampton, created a GoFundMe campaign to support them through the financial and emotional strain.
Lauren wrote, “Matthew was the most loving little boy. He is missed and loved by so many people. Matthew had two brothers and two sisters, and he was the eldest. This GoFundMe is to help Matthew’s family against the financial stress.”
People from all walks of life contributed, offering donations, messages of love, and shared memories.
The grief was collective, but so too was the compassion.
Tributes poured in for Matthew, painting a picture of a child who left an enduring impact in his brief time on earth.
One of his former teachers from St. Joseph’s National School in Arklow shared, “Ciara, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful little boy, Matthew. My heart broke when I heard. I was so lucky to have got to know him. I used to look forward to seeing his cheeky little smile every day. He was such a happy little boy with so many people who adored him. He was so special! Rest in peace little man.”
Matthew’s current school, St. Patrick’s National School, remembered him as a bright presence who brought joy to everyone around him.
“Matthew brought so much happiness to our school,” one staff member said.
“Sending heartfelt condolences to all of his family. Staff members, classmates, and all who knew him will miss him dearly. St. Pats will miss his smiley face every day. Rest in Peace, Matthew.”
Another staff member added, “Sending all Matthew’s family and friends the strength to get through this incredibly sad time. Matthew was such a friendly, funny, and kind young man. He was a brilliant big brother to Tyler and his little sisters and was so proud to tell everyone in St. Patrick’s about his new baby brother. I will always remember Matthew’s cheeky smile and I will miss him very much. May he rest in peace.”
The day of his funeral was a testament to the love and admiration that surrounded Matthew.
His classmates wore T-shirts emblazoned with the words ‘Matthew our Hero,’ honoring the boy who had touched so many hearts.
The service took place at St. Joseph’s Church in Templerainey, Arklow, where family, friends, and community members gathered to say their final goodbyes.
Tears were shed, stories were shared, and memories of Matthew’s boundless energy and affection filled the sacred space.
After the funeral, Matthew was laid to rest beside his beloved grandfather, Billy, at St. Gabriel Cemetery in Arklow.
Though Matthew’s life was tragically cut short, his spirit continues to live on in those who loved him.
In every smile, every act of kindness, and every memory shared, Matthew’s presence is felt.
The story of a bright, lively boy who left the world too soon reminds us of the fragility of life and the power of love.
His legacy, though brief, serves as a beacon of the joy he brought, the hearts he touched, and the enduring imprint of a life cherished, however short.
