Copyright irishmirror
Family and friends of tragic schoolboy André Castro Ladeiro, who was killed two years ago when a driver failed to stop at a red light at a pedestrian crossing, will gather on Saturday, November 22 to unveil a memorial in his honour. The informal event, to be held on the Cork Road near Centenary Garden in Carragline, Co Cork, will see a memorial to André unveiled and to celebrate his life and spirit, with his father César describing it as a moment of remembrance filled with love. “What we are doing is trying to perpetuate André’s spirit for eternity,” César told the Irish Mirror. “Words will be shared in what I hope will be a beautiful, cheerful ceremony.” Eight-year-old André died on August 16, 2023, four days after he was struck while crossing at a pedestrian crossing on his bicycle on the Cork Road in Carrigaline. He was eight years-old. The driver, John Moynihan (62) of Parkanillane, Kilnamartyra, Macroom, Co Cork pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final year suspended. He was also disqualified from driving for a period of six years. César previously told the court that his son had waited for the green light before crossing, but that “this driver’s actions killed my son.” He recalled the “violence of the impact” and said he would never forget the moment of the collision. “The bang and him disappearing. I saw it then and every day since. No braking lights on that Ford Ranger Wildtrak. André was just a leaf in the road for that driver,” he said in his powerful victim impact statement. His wife, Filipa, also spoke movingly of their loss, describing André as a joyful child who “spread kindness and happiness everywhere he went.” The family, who moved to Ireland from Portugal in 2019, said he had quickly made friends in school and loved sports, including GAA, swimming, gymnastics, and taekwondo. Following the sentencing, the Ladeiro family said there could be “little peace” from seeing the driver jailed but that they wanted André’s memory to live on through positivity and community spirit. The memorial unveiling, which will take place on Saturday, November 22 at 2pm, memorial, César said, is part of that effort to celebrate the little boy who “filled our lives with the most wonderful feelings.” “His smile was contagious, as contagious as his character,” César said. “This ceremony is our way of keeping his spirit alive.” "He was also involved in different sports, such as gymnastics, swimming, GAA and taekwondo," the victim impact statement said. "He spread joy and kindness. He was so happy. We were so happy." César and Filipa said in their victim impact statement the events of August 12, 2023 "destroyed our lives" and it is "still impossible for us to believe or accept" that he is gone. "Everyday, we wait to see him walk through the door, to give us again the most earthly hug only he could give, his sounding kisses, to see his captivating smile. "But no. The only thing we find is pictures and videos, memories." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
