'It's where he rode for the last time... happy & free'

THE family of tragic schoolboy Andre Castro Ladeiro, who was killed two years ago when a driver failed to stop at a red light, have unveiled a memorial sculpture "where he rode for the last time, happy and free on his bike".

- BY NICOLA DONNELLY

Andre, eight, died on August 16, 2023 - four days after he was struck at the pedestrian crossing on the Cork Road in Carrigaline.

The little boy was out with his parents Cesar and Filipa and younger brother Tomas when the horror collision occurred.

The driver, John Moynihan, 62, of Parkanillane, Kilnamartyra, Macroom, Co Cork, was jailed for two years after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and was banned from driving for six years.

Now Cesar and Filipa have unveiled a commissioned sculpture by artist Mick Wilkins in Andre's honour on the Cork Road, near Centenary Garden in Carrigaline. The sculpture incorporates characteristics of Andre into the design, including his handprints and date of birth, while imprints of his bicycle wheel threads are a reminder of one of the things he loved.

A playing child forms the centrepiece, while some clay placed by Andre's brother Tomas where the sculpture's heart is was designed to cast “the biggest shadow” on the ground on the day of his anniversary.