Sadness following death of 'Little Blue Hero' Eoin Brogan, Carrigans

East Donegal is in mourning following the death of ‘Little Blue Hero’ Eoin Brogan.

Late of Castlethird, Carrigans, Eoin passed on Friday, surrounded by his loving family, in St Joseph’s Ward, Crumlin Chrildren’s Hospital.

He was a student of Deele College in Raphoe having previous attended Scoil an Linbh Íosa in Carrigans.

A son of Robert and Ann Brogan, Eoin was an Honorary Garda and a member of the Little Blue Heroes, the not-for-profit registered charity voluntarily led by Gardai who support families of children with serious illnesses.

Eoin was diagnosed with a rare metabolic condition and required regular hospital visits.

In March, he returned home to Castlethird after a long stay in hospital of 197 days.

He received a surprise visit from the Dublin Garda Unit after initially getting a tour of the helicopter's interior on a video call.

Scoil an Linbh Íosa said the school community is ‘truly heartbroken’ while the Naomh Colmcille GAA club conveyed its sympathies to Eoin’s family, his parents Robert and Ann, his brother William, sisters Kellyann, Louise and Aoife and his grandparents James and Bernadette Sharkey.

Scoil an Linbh Íosa principal John O’Donnell said Eoin was ‘the boy with the heart of gold’.

“You touched us all in so many many ways and made our school a brighter place for everyone,” he said. “Your kindness, gentleness, good humour and wit has made it a privilege for us all to have been part of your short life.”

Eoin’s funeral will take place on Monday in St Baithin’s Church, St Johnston at 11am with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.