I am constantly in awe of women who survive their children’s death. Although I thankfully have no idea what losing a child actually feels like, as a mother myself, I feel like on a deep, soul level I can empathize with these women because even imagining the loss is almost too painful a thought. Losing a child unexpectedly is hard enough, but not knowing the reason why has to be even more harrowing.
Metro UK reported that Matthew Breen, 8, from Rathnew, County Wicklow in Ireland, suffered a double arm fracture on November 6, 2025. His mother, Ciara Breen, took him to the hospital, where he was seen, discharged, and asked to return for surgery the next day. His family noted that he appeared to be “completely fine” outside of the broken arm the day of the accident.
Things took a dramatic turn, though, after his mother took him back to Crumlin Children’s Hospital the next day. Doctors prescribed him steroids and tablets to help him as he had been consistently vomiting all day.
Later, he began having trouble breathing. The hospital still discharged him and set him up with an appointment at neighboring hospital Tallaght for November 11 to see a lung specialist. But on November 10, the evening before his appointment, Matthew’s breathing worsened and then, terrifyingly, it stopped.
The family called an ambulance, and paramedics were able to resuscitate him. They brought him back to the children’s hospital, where they put him in an induced coma, and he died just a week later. Now, they are left with a mountain of grief and so questions.
Speaking with The Irish Sun, his mom said her eldest of five was a total joy to be around.
“Matthew was heart-warming and hated anyone to be upset and would always make sure everyone was happy,” she told the newspaper. “If someone was being mean to him he would say they were only messing because he didn’t want to get anyone in trouble.”
She went on to say how much he loved his school, friends, siblings, and football.
“His laugh alone would melt your heart and anyone that knew him never had a bad word to say about him,” she shared.
“That was my lovable son and it’s left a hole in our hearts that could never be filled again, he was unique and had a passion for playing Fortnite with his brothers and cousins,” she added. “Even if we had a down day, Matthew’s laughter would light up the room and make everyone feel good again. It’s hard, not having any answers.”
Ciara’s sister Lauren Frampton organized a GoFundMe account to help alleviate financial stress to the family to pay for the funeral costs and allow them time to grieve.
“He was the most heart warming boy and will be missed and was loved by all who knew him,” she wrote on the page. “As a community we’ve all pulled together and anything as little as anything would really help this family through this difficult time.”
