Audio By Carbonatix
He got the last laugh.
Loved ones at an Irish funeral for Defence Forces Veteran Shay Bradley were shocked — then delighted — when they heard the voice of their late friend calling out from his coffin.
“Hello, hello — let me out!” they heard on Saturday at Bradley’s funeral in Kilmanagh, Leinster, as his casket was lowered into the ground.
The pre-recorded message continued, “Where the f - - k am I? Let me out, let me out. It’s f - - king dark in here. Is that the priest I can hear? This is Shay, I’m in the box. No, in f - - king front of you. I’m dead.”
A video of the posthumous prank, posted to Twitter, Sunday, shows mourners laughing and crying as Bradley’s voice began to sing, “Hello again, hello. Hello, I just called to say goodbye.”
The footage has gone viral with more than 500,000 views and over 16,000 likes.
Friends and family said the good-humoured officer and father made the recording because he knew he was dying of a “long illness bravely borne” — and wanted “to make his family laugh rather than cry at the funeral.”
Those close to him are now using the hashtag “#shayslastlaugh” to share the story.
“My dad’s dying [sic] wish, always the pranksters,” wrote his daughter Andrea on Facebook, in a post with more than 70,000 views. “Ya got them good Poppabear and gave us all a laugh just when we needed it!! I will love you forever #shayslastlaugh.”
She added on Twitter, “What a man …To make us all laugh when we were incredibly sad…He was some man for one man…Love you forever Poppabear #Shayslastlaugh.”
Other veterans of the Defence Force said the video of their colleague’s funeral “says it all” about military humour.
“Was asked a question the other day, it was what’s the difference between military humour and Civilian humour it’s simple it’s black. This video should say it all,” they posted on Facebook.
Bradley, who died Oct. 8, is survived by his wife, Anne, and children, Jonathan, Susanne, James and Andrea.
Latest Stories
-
NACOC arrests 3 suspects linked to Dutch fugitive drug kingpin
9 minutes -
Workers must complement AI skills with professional expertise to remain relevant – ALX Enterprise
21 minutes -
Companies that delay AI adoption risk losing market opportunities – ALX Enterprise
35 minutes -
‘The future is bright’ – Gyan backs Black Princesses squad after U-20 World Cup exit
41 minutes -
We should treat AI as an opportunity rather than a threat – ALX Enterprise
49 minutes -
Malta and Ghana set sights on practical AI partnership
52 minutes -
2026 U-20 WWC: ‘Not all wishes come true’ – Gyan inspires Black Princesses after elimination
57 minutes -
‘I am not a magician’ – Zdravko Logarušić on Nations FC exit from Africa
1 hour -
Three nights. 28 titles. Ultimate history made
1 hour -
Ghanaian delegates at IYF 2026 could become bridges for stronger Russia ties – John Aggrey
1 hour -
Nigeria: Over 30 dead, 50 hospitalised after consuming alcoholic substance in Ondo State
1 hour -
UK lawmakers demand new law to address AI threat to human rights
2 hours -
WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup: Black Maidens depart Accra for tournament in Yamoussokro
2 hours -
Sweden’s center-left bloc narrowly ahead as election remains too close to call
2 hours -
GPL 2026/27: ‘We won ugly’ – Kotoko head coach unimpressed after Lions victory
2 hours