Funeral of hit-and-run victim Ronan Wilson (9) today

Ronan Wilson, the nine-year-old boy killed in a hit-and-run collision in Bundoran on Saturday night, will be laid to rest today.

The funeral of the young schoolboy will take place at St. Mary’s Church, Dunamore, County Tyrone at 12 noon.

As floral tributes and teddy bears poignantly mark the spot in Bundoran where the budding Gaelic footballer was tragically killed, a fundraiser has been set up to support his heartbroken family.

The Wilson family were in Bundoran on a weekend away from their Kildress home when Ronan was struck by a car on Atlantic Way at around 9.20pm on Saturday.

The vehicle involved in the collision failed to remain at the scene and a 23-year-old man, Sergee Kelly from Upper Mullaghmore, County Sligo, appeared at Carrick-On-Shannon District Court on Tuesday charged in relation to the fatal hit-and-run.

Ronan’s heartbroken father, Dean Wilson, paid an emotional tribute to ‘the best son anyone could ask for’.

"I never thought I'd be saying this but I've lost my wee Roro; my main man, my hero and son,” he wrote on Facebook.

"I love him so much , he's been taken from us by a hit-and-run driver. We will never be the same without you, we can't cope. I'm broken.

"Roro was the best son anyone could ask for. Nine years of pure pleasure. Rest in peace my son and best friend. Love you forever. From Daddy, Mummy, Calum and Amy and all our surrounding family and friends. We love you Ronan.”

On Tuesday, club members formed a guard of honour at Kildress Wolfe Tones GAA club - where he played for the under-10s - as the hearse carrying Ronan’s remains paused during his final journey home.

Kildress Wolfe Tones chairperson Dominic McGurk recalled Ronan as a ‘happy-go-lucky child’.

“He had a wee smile on his face all the time,” Mr McGurk said. “If our senior team was playing a game, at half-time he’d be out kicking about.”

The principal of St Mary’s Primary School in Dunamore, Ms Eileen Ward, said Ronan was ‘the type of friend that everyone would want to have’.

Several tributes have been laid at the scene.

“Look after your family from Heaven,” one note reads, “and help them through these days ahead.”

The Kildress community have rallied around and neighbour Shauna Loughran and her family have launched an online fundraiser with over £28,000stg raised.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the tragic accident that took the life of a nine-year-old boy Ronan Wilson in our community,” Shauna wrote.

“Ronan who came from a very well known respected family in the village of Kildress was a bright, loving soul whose life was cut short in a heartbreaking hit and run accident.”

Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone with information or who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

A spokesperson said: “Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), and who were travelling in the area of Atlantic Way, Bundoran, on Saturday evening between 8.45pm and 9.45pm, is asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”