THE heartbroken family and friends of a young Cork father tragically killed in Australia united in grief this weekend to bid their “warm, loving and easy going” Ian one final goodbye.
Outside Ian Redmond’s funeral in Togher.
Ian Redmond, a 26-year-old father-of-one from Togher, lost his life when he was involved in a single-car crash in Australia on June 15.
He was six months into a one-year Australian visa and was on the way to work, near Perth, when the accident occurred.
With help from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund, Ian’s remains were eventually returned home. He was buried at St Finbarr’s Cemetery on Saturday.
Speaking at the funeral, Ian’s cousin paid tribute to the young man.
“Ian was such a selfless person. He was a beautiful person inside and out. His family and friends are so incredibly grateful and blessed to have shared this precious life on earth with him. Not only was he a loving son and brother and father, he was a kind friend. He was someone who was always a pleasure to be around,” he said, fighting back tears.
“Although Ian’s was a short life, it was very full and filled with love and laughter and so many amazing moments and memories. It is these memories of Ian that will help us all to come to terms with what has happened. Ian was loved by everyone. He was such a warm person. He had such a good spirit and a huge heart. He was such an easy person to get on with.”
He said to sum up Ian in a few short words was an “impossible” task but said that for those who knew him, he will never truly die.
“Ian will never be forgotten. We will always remember the good times we shared. We love you Ian, and we miss you deeply. You will live forever in our hearts.”
Ian Redmond with his daughter Alisha
He said Ian was particularly close to his mother, Patsy, and to his daughter, Alisha.
“Anyone who knew Ian knew how much he loved his family, especially his beautiful daughter Alisha. Everyone who knew him knew he was devoted to her. Alisha was his shining light, his pride and joy, and he was so overwhelmingly proud of her. I know he will be looking down on Alisha from heaven and watching over her as she grows up.”
The funeral Mass was said by Togher Parish Priest Fr Robert Brophy who said words “fail to capture” the enormous pain Ian’s family and friends are now going through.
“This accident could have happened to any young person and indiscriminately it happened to poor Ian. This is a terrible nightmare to visit a family. A nightmare they must hope to awake from,” he said.
“The death of Ian makes us realise that this life is a fragile one and a precious gift. Every minute of every hour of every day is a precious gift.”
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