Matthew Breen Wicklow Obituary: Community Grieves for Matthew Breen, 8-Year-Old from Wicklow Who Died Due to Health Issues

 The residents of County Wicklow are mourning the tragic loss of 8-year-old Matthew Breen, a kind and joyful child whose life was abruptly ended due to unforeseen medical complications that arose after he fractured his arm at school. Matthew peacefully passed away at Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin on Monday, with his grief-stricken family by his side.

On Thursday, November 6, Matthew was transported by ambulance to the hospital after sustaining a double fracture in his arm during a school incident. His family reported that he was in good spirits and "completely fine that day," allowing him to be sent home shortly afterward. Ciara, his mother, arranged for him to have surgery at Crumlin Hospital to fix the injury.

Unfortunately, after being admitted, Matthew's health began to deteriorate. He progressively grew more unwell, suffering from ongoing vomiting and difficulty retaining his medication. Steroids were administered in an attempt to alleviate his symptoms, but he found no relief. Following a second dose, he started to show signs of respiratory distress. His mother was instructed to walk him around the hospital and encourage hydration, but his discomfort persisted.

Matthew was eventually discharged, but by Monday, November 10, his condition had worsened significantly. He struggled for breath, leading to an urgent call for help to the family's home. First responders acted quickly to revive him and transported him back to Crumlin Hospital, where he was put into an induced coma and placed on life support as the medical team worked to save him.

Despite all attempts to help him, Matthew passed away on Monday, November 17, with his loved ones surrounding him.

He leaves a grieving family behind, including his devastated mother, Ciara, along with his two brothers and two sisters, all of whom cherished him dearly. As the eldest sibling, Matthew was a caring, gentle, and affectionate spirit who brought joy to every space he occupied.

In response to this unimaginable loss, Ciara’s sister-in-law, Lauren Frampton, has set up a GoFundMe page to alleviate the financial strain that the family is now experiencing. Lauren characterized Matthew as “the most loving little boy... adored by everyone who knew him” and indicated that the fundraising campaign is designed to support the family during this deeply painful and overwhelming time.