By Eoin Mc Garvey

Scoil Eoin Pól, Loch an Iúir unveiled a new autism room on Wednesday evening dedicated to the memory of a young past pupil who died in 2008 from a brain tumour.

Erin Logue of Loughanure was a student at Scoil Eoin Pól for just four short years. A son of Micheal and Mary Logue and brother to Dáire and Caolan, Erin’s life was a brief yet impactful journey, filled with courage and determination. His untimely passing in 2008 due to a brain tumour left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and the school community.

The autism room at Scoil Eoin Pól is designed to provide a dedicated learning environment tailored to meet the needs of students with autism. With specially selected resources, sensory tools, and calming elements, the space aims to create an atmosphere where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The unveiling event was attended by Erin’s family together with school staff, relatives and friends of the Logue family. Local parish priest and chairman of the board of management, Fr Nigel Gallagher, who addressed the gathering, blessed the new room following prayers.

Erin first became unwell in October 2006, but his determination saw him briefly return to school, before the summer holidays in 2007 receiving wonderful support from the school staff where all the stops were pulled out to ensure his needs were catered for. He sadly passed away in 2008 aged just nine years.

Erin’s mother Mary described it as a huge honour and a special day for the family to have the new autism room dedicated to their wee boy.

“Erin was a very happy child who loved life and lived his short life to the fullest. I’ll be biased here now, and say he was a beautiful with his bright blues eyes and sallow skin. He was very independent and strong willed to the point of being stubborn and some would say he didn’t steal that trait! He faced the challenges of cancer and of its treatment with a great fighting spirit – never giving up,” she said.

Mary spoke of the love and kindness showered on him at the school and how everything was put in place for him from day one. She paid tribute to principal Mairead Nic Suibhne, staff past and present, and the entire school community.

“We as a family will be eternally grateful for the support received not only for Erin but as a family unit.

Seomra Erin is a very beautiful, warm, bright and precious space within the school, and very beneficial to all the children who avail of it now and in the future,” she added.

Also speaking at the event Erin’s father Micheal said it is such an honour for them to have the room dedicated to Erin. He paid tribute to principal Mairead and the staff over the years for what they done for Erin and continue to do in the school.

The emotional father told the gathering that despite the saying that time heals, he said that time doesn’t heal.

“It’s nearly seventeen years later and only for Fr Nigel and his trips to Medugorje, I think I’d be in a different place.”

Michael said he believes his son is a saint, a sentiment echoed by Fr Nigel, and said he hopes that in the future Seomra Erin will become a small beacon in the school. He also spoke of Erin’s great spirit despite the pain he was suffering and told how he even played tricks on his parents in his dark days.

“Everybody thinks their own child is special, and every child is special, so look after them, hold them close, hug them and love them, because you never known the day,” he added.

Other speakers at the event included school principal Mairead Nic Suibhne and teacher Annemarie Nic Suibhne who both spoke lovingly and emotionally of their memories of Erin’s days in the school.

Roisin Ann Boyle, Maeve Sweeney, Una Sweeney, Louise Gillespie, and Deirdre Greene at the opening of the Scoil Eoin Pol, Loughanure autism room.

Scoil Loch an Iúir principal Mairead Nic Suibhne with sons Seamus and Donal, grandson Sean and his mother Emer Coll at the opening of Seomra Erin in Scoil Eoin Pól, Loch an Iúir.

The late Erin Logue pictured in Scoil Eoin Pól, Loughanure prior to his death in 2008. (Photo: John Mc Connell)