A VERDICT of unlawful killing has been returned by a jury at the inquest of 11-year-old Brooklyn Colbert, in Kilmallock Court this Wednesday afternoon.

The child was stabbed and beaten to death by his then 26-year-old half-uncle Patrick Dillon, of Dalgaish Park, Moyross.

The crime took place at a house on Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty in Limerick city on November 8, 2019. Dillon was given a life sentence in February 2021 after he pleaded guilty to the murder.

Brooklyn was the son of ex-Limerick FC player Wayne Colbert and Sonia Aylmer

Speaking after the inquest, Ms Aylmer thanked everyone in Limerick and around the country who still remember Brooklyn. She said it has been a "very hard day" but that it has helped to bring "closure".

"I would just like to thank everyone who has kept his memory alive," said Ms Aylmer, who described Brooklyn as her "special boy".

"He will live on forever, his legacy will live on - I will make sure of that," said Ms Aylmer (pictured below).

placeholder image — "He will live on forever, his legacy will live on - I will make sure of that," said Ms Aylmer (pictured below).

Limerick coroner John McNamara opened the inquest by saying he knows this is extremely difficult for Brooklyn's family. He described it as a "very tragic and harrowing case".

"You have been through a lot already and nobody here wants to make it more difficult for you during your grieving process," said Mr McNamara.

Inspector Gearoid Thompson, who represented the State, concurred and said members of An Garda Siochana, including a family liaison officer, were there to assist the family in any way they can.

The first witness was Dr Margaret Anne Bolster who performed the post-mortem on Brooklyn's body. She said the cause of death was due to multiple stab wounds.

The next witness was Inspector James Ruddle who outlined the garda investigation into the death of Brooklyn after Dillon came to Henry Street garda station and said he had "murdered his nephew with a knife".

Insp Thompson read out a number of depositions including from Brooklyn's mum Ms Aylmer. During the deposition she said a week or two previous she told Paddy (Dillon) that Brooklyn doesn't want hugs.

"He didn't feel comfortable with them. Paddy was always hugging Brooklyn. He kept calling Brooklyn 'my king' - it was too much. He had an obsession with him.

"I think Paddy wanted to kill Brooklyn and himself. I think he wanted to go to heaven with him," read out Insp Thompson from Ms Aylmer's deposition.

Wayne Colbert's deposition was of identifying the body of his "lovely boy" in the morgue.

Insp Thompson also read out the deposition of the last person to see Brooklyn alive before Dillon and the child went into the house in Shanabooly Road.

The person said Brooklyn was "happy and laughing" and was "glued to" Dillon. Dillon told the person that he was "minding Brooklyn".

"Everything seemed normal," read out Insp Thompson from the deposition.

The jury of four women and two men took a matter of seconds to record a verdict of unlawful killing.

The Limerick coroner said it was a very difficult and harrowing set of circumstances. Speaking to Brooklyn's family in attendance, Mr McNamara said "the only consolation we can give is that Brooklyn's death would have been very rapid given the unfortunate injuries he sustained".

Mr McNamara offered his sincere condolences on the "very tragic loss of Brooklyn".

On behalf of An Garda Siochana, Insp Thompson extended his sincere sympathies.

"It is never easy to lose a child and certainly not in circumstances such as this. Our sympathies to you all. God bless," said Insp Thompson.