Young people are not indestructible and they must live within life's rules and boundaries, the funeral of one of the victims of last weekend's crash in Co Donegal was told today.
Eamonn McDaid (22), from Ballymagan, Co Donegal, was one of eight men who died in the two-car collision on the Inishowen Peninsula on Sunday night.
Shaun Kelly (22), the driver of the car in which seven men died, remains in serious condition in Letterkenny General Hospital.
Fr John Walsh, who presided over this morning's funeral service at St Mary’s Church in Buncrana, made a direct appeal to Mr McDaid’s friends and contemporaries.
"Allow me to say to you that you are not indestructible at the age of 22. You are very fragile. All of us are. Life itself is fragile,” Fr Walsh said. “We have to be careful and even wise if we are to reach adulthood and middle age and old age. There are no guarantees, but care and caution are mighty helps in the effort at holding onto life.
"I don't mean to patronise you. When I was your age I too felt indestructible. But none of us is. That's a plain fact of life. So please, please, please live life on its terms, within its rules and boundaries; otherwise life will be cruel and merciless towards you and towards your family and friends who will have to bear you to the grave."
He expressed his condolences to the chief mourners, Mr McDaid's father Seamus, his mother Martha and his four brothers Martin, Sean, Liam and James, his girlfriend Yvonne and his grandmother Rose.
He said that people had turned out in "overflowing numbers" to offer them comfort, some travelling from the US and the UK to attend the ceremony.
Fr Walsh said Mr McDaid would be remembered as a loving son and affectionate brother. He was a "bubbly character, wild for craic" who was "the life and soul of every party" and would stay up until the wee hours singing.
The gifts brought to the altar included a photograph of Mr McDaid, his Illies Celtic football jersey and a spanner representing his work as a mechanic.
A guard of honour was formed by members of Illies Celtic football club, where Mr McDaid played as a midfielder.
Another victim of Sunday's crash, Paul Doherty from Ballyliffen, who would have been 20 today, was buried this morning following Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Church, Clonmany.
Fr Fintan Diggin said Mr Doherty was a hard-working young man who made a valuable contribution to society. “All the energy and joie de vivre were very much part of his life,” he told mourners.
An earth mover, spanner and boiler suit were placed at the front of the church in recognition of his work.
The coffin was carried in by his family, including his three younger brothers, after being brought from his home in nearby Ballyliffin. Parents Felix and Sally and siblings Stephen, Mark, Caroline and Garry led mourners in the packed church.
A funeral service was held this afternoon for Ciarán Sweeney (19), from Ballyliffen, at St Mary’s Church in Clonmany.
Eamonn and Claire Sweeney told mourners at their son’s funeral they would welcome the family of Shaun Kelly into their home. “Claire, Rory, Owen, Orla and myself want it to be made perfectly clear that we don’t hold (responsible) or blame Shaun or anyone else in any way for the loss of our beautiful son and brother,” Mr Sweeney said. “The Kelly family will always be welcomed into our home with open arms.”
His father added: “Ciarán gave us almost 20 years of love and happiness. Our memories of Ciarán are all good years. We could not have been any more proud of our son.”
He said they were glad he had found love with his partner, Shaun Kelly’s sister Catherine Ann Kelly, and could not have met a nicer girl.
Damien McLaughlin (21) from Umricam was buried following Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Parish Church in Buncrana. His family requested media not to attend.
The funeral of James McEleney (23) from Clonmany, takes place tomorrow in Clonmany.
Funeral Masses were held yesterday for Mark McLaughlin (21), PJ McLaughlin (21) in Fahan and Hugh Friel (66) in Clonmany.
Additional reporting: PA