The funeral has taken place in Donegal today of 23-year-old James McEleney, the final burial after the death of eight men in Sunday night’s crash in the Inishowen Peninsula.
Chief mourners included Mr McEleney’s mother, Philomena, and siblings Shane, Kathleen, Robert and Philip.
In a two-minute eulogy at the end of the service, his uncle Philly Ivers paid tribute to his nephew, whom he described as a character, full of life and a real joker.
“He was a performer, a showman, who loved to put a smile on people’s face,” Mr Ivers said. “And we all know that if he was here today, he’d be doing the exact same thing. It was through his stories, his singing or, as many of us have experienced, his own version of the Full Monty, that was our James.”
Echoing the sentiments of the parents of Ciarán Sweeney, whose funeral mass took place in Clonmany yesterday, Mr Ivers said the family would always welcome Seán Kelly, the seriously injured driver of the car, and his family into their home.
“We pray that Seán makes a full recovery and wish to let him know that our door is always open for support for both him and his family,” he said.
The condition of Mr Kelly (22) has today been described as stable in Letterkenny General Hospital.
Mourners applauded Mr Ivers as he left the altar, on which rested mementos of Mr McEleney’s life - a tool belt with a hammer and pliers and a CD of Galway country singer Mike Denver, of whom he was a fan.
There was also a blue model Ford van bearing the inscription “James McEleney Guttering”, with a miniature ladder on top, and two framed photos. One was a family portrait taken at the christening of his twin nieces around 18 months ago.
Parish priest Fr Fintan Diggin said Mr McEleney was a hard-working man, like all the young people who died in the tragic crash.
“Hard-working men, full of life, full of joy. Strong members of their communities in their own parishes, all of them,” he said. “We are so grieved and saddened by such terrible loss and tragedy throughout all our parish communities. We don’t want any more of that.”
Mr McEleney’s remains were taken the short walk to the New Cemetery where he was buried.
The two-car crash in which the men died claimed more lives than any other road incident since records began nearly 50 years ago.
Seven men aged between 19 and 23, all of whom were passengers in one car, and the 66-year-old driver of a second car were killed in the crash, which happened outside Clonmany, near Buncrana.
The funerals took place yesterday of Paul Doherty of Ardagh, Ballyliffin (19); Eamonn McDaid of Cruckaheeny, Buncrana (22); Ciarán Sweeney of Ballyliffin (19); and Damien McLaughlin of Umricam, Buncrana (21).
Mark McLaughlin of Ballinahone, Fahan (21); PJ McLaughlin of Rockstown in Burnfoot (21); and Hugh Friel (66), from Dunaff, Clonmany, were buried on Wednesday.
The crash happened at Glasmullan, Drumfries, on a short straight stretch between two bends in the road about 2km from the North Pole pub.
Additional reporting: PA