A YOUNG Irish boy who hit headlines last summer after receiving 10,000 birthday cards from all over the world has tragically lost his battle with terminal cancer.
Fionn Doyle, 7, who was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of just 18 months, passed away surrounded by his family in County Cork on New Year's Eve.
Back in August, his mother Eimear made an appeal on social media to make his seventh birthday one to remember and was astonished when the family received thousands of cards and parcels from well-wishers across the globe.
Fionn had underwent five years of treatment and went in to remission in the summer of 2016. Sadly, he suffered a relapse six months later.
In May 2018, doctors told Eimear and her husband Jack Doyle that their son's illness had become terminal after a bone marrow transplant the previous December failed to stem the cancer.
A Garda Response Unit and Garda Dog Unit were special guests at brave Fionn's final birthday party and a convoy of Garda cars and a fire engine were brought to his house in Kildorrery, Co. Cork to celebrate the big day last summer.
Our hearts are saddened to hear the loss of one of our Little Blue Heroes last night, 7 year old honorary Garda Fionn Doyle. Fionn fought so bravely every step of the way against cancer. In police work we talk about bravery, honour and courage and Fionn exemplified all of that. pic.twitter.com/xCtyVq7HrT
— Little Blue Heroes (@LilBlueHeroes) 1 January 2019
The youngster was also presented with his own Garda uniform by Fermoy Gardaí and a medal for being a little superhero.
Another guest at Fionn's party was the local postman, who delivered around 2,000 cards a day leading up to his birthday from as far away as the United States, Australia and South Africa.
"It was just magical and we are so grateful to everyone who made it such a special day for him and for us and gave us memories we will cherish forever," Eimear said at the time.
Fionn's family decided to celebrate Christmas early last month as his condition took a turn for the worse.
He died, surrounded by his loved-ones, just hours before the arrival of 2019.
It was announced last night that a Mass of the Angels will be held for Fionn in his native Kildorrery this Thursday.
The inspirational schoolboy is survived by his parents Jack and Eimear and his eight-year-old sister Saoirse.
