Tears for angel Abbie (2) after bunk bed death

Mourners will attend the funeral in north Dublin as the family of little Abbie Cummins bids farewell to the toddler -- who died two days before her third birthday.

She sustained fatal injuries on Saturday morning when she fell between her bunk bed and a wall at her dad's house.

Her father battled desperately to save her life but Abbie passed away a short time later in Mullingar General Hospital in Co Westmeath.

Gardai say the death was a "tragic, private accident".

Friends and relatives of the family paid heartbreaking tributes to Abbie who was described as an "angel" and the "brightest star".

Her mother Amy wrote: "Your friends are celebrating your birthday, baby girl. Mammy will see you later. You'll be like a princess in the clothes mammy bought for you. xxx" One family member wrote that she could not comprehend the tragedy.

The toddler is up there "with all the angels now" and everyone will "miss you like mad", she said.

Aunt Gillian Cummins wished Abbie a happy third birthday, adding they were never going to be able to take in her death.

Abbie was living with her mum Amy in north Dublin.

However, ahead of her birthday on Friday, she went to her dad's house in Tircroghan in Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, where he lives with his partner and their children.

It is believed Abbie was found by another young member of the household who had been sleeping in the lower bunk and his cries alerted the others.

Gardai are investigating for the purposes of preparing a report for the coroner's court.

The funeral service is to take place at St Agatha's Church on North William Street, Dublin 1.

A coroner in England recently warned against the potential dangers of bunk beds after hearing how a four-year-old died after rolling off the mattress in his sleep.

Daniel McGarry was found hanging between the bed and the adjacent wall.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner David Roberts said: "If there is a wider message to be passed out, it would be to check that bunk beds are properly constructed."

clairemurphy@herald.ie