16-year-old Thomas ‘TJ’ Chambers died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash involving a tractor on Saturday, December 27.
The crash happened on the R458 at Bunnahow, north of Crusheen, Co Clare, at 2pm. He was the only occupant of the vehicle.
TJ, who was from the Newhall area of Ballyea, will be laid to rest on Friday, January 2.
He will be reposing at St. John the Baptist Church, Ballyea (V95YV66) on Thursday evening January 1, from 3pm with prayers at 6pm.
Requiem Mass will take place on Friday January 2 at 1pm, followed by burial in Ballyea Church grounds.
A traffic system will be in operation for Thursday evening enter via, Darragh Cross and Tiermaclane Cross and Exit via Newhall Cross.
TJ’s mother Suzanne, who runs G Nine Boutique in Ennis, asked people to “please say a prayer” as she informed customers that the boutique would be closed until further notice.
She said: “G Nine Boutique will be closed until further notice.
“Please say a prayer and think of us to help us get through the next few days.”
TJ was a talented hurler with his local team Ballyea GAA, and his death came just hours before a Tractor Run fundraiser for the club was due to take place.
Thomas ‘TJ’ Chambers
The club shared a tribute to TJ which read: “We in Ballyea GAA respectfully acknowledge TJs family’s wish for privacy while they try to absorb what has happened and the sudden loss of their beloved TJ.
“Please know that you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers as the entire club and community stands with you in quiet support and solidarity.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Suzanne, Tomás, Caoimhe, Laoise, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, teammates and friends. We are all heartbroken at the loss of TJ.
“At just 16, TJ had already made such a positive impact on our club, not just as a very promising hurler but he was also helpful, kind, respectful and genuine. He was known for his strong work ethic especially in his love of farming and in the backs on the hurling field. He will remain a treasured teammate and friend and his absence will be deeply felt throughout our club and community forever.
“TJ will always be remembered as part of Ballyea GAA and will live on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to have known him in his short life.
“Bed of Heaven to you TJ. Sleep tight and rest in peace.”
Other figures have paid tribute to TJ following the tragic crash.
“First and foremost, my thoughts are very much with his parents and his two sisters. They’re facing an unimaginable reality,” said mayor of the Ennis municipal district, Fine Gael councillor Mary Howard.
“Last night I spoke with quite a few young people that would have known him through GAA and through school and I suppose the reality for them is sinking in. I’m thinking of those, his wider family, his friends, his classmates, his teachers. They’re just trying to process this loss.
“He was going off to do the tractor run, in great form with his family and this most horrendous accident happens.
“As I said to anybody who I’ve spoken with, we all need to come together with compassion and support the family.”
Ms Howard added: “It’s really heartbreaking. It’s a parent’s worst nightmare.”
TJ was a student at St Flannan’s College in Ennis, 8km from Ballyea.
Fr Pat Malone, one of the parish priests for Clarecastle and Ballyea, said: “His family would be very well known and respected in the community.
“TJ was a lovely young fellow. And the young lads who he went to school with and played in teams are very, very shocked over the whole thing.
“Ballyea is a very tight community and it will be very supportive of the family in this situation, but it is very shocked about what has happened.”
TJ is predeceased by his grandfather Christy Lee, uncle Sean Chambers. He was cherished and much loved by his heartbroken parents Tomás and Suzanne (nee Lee), his adored sisters Caoimhe and Laoise, his grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and a wide circle of friends.