There are “no words” to describe the grief felt by families, friends and entire communities after five young people lost their lives in a road collision in Co Louth last weekend.
Hundreds gathered across a rural village in Co Meath and a town in Co Louth on Friday to attend the funerals of two young men who died in the crash near Dundalk a week earlier, reports Breaking News.
Mourners heard that people were left in “incomprehension” at the death of Alan McCluskey, from Co Meath, who was remembered as a “caring” friend and dedicated worker, and that there were “no words” for the heartbreak over the loss of Dylan Commins, from Co Louth, described as having “unstoppable determination”.
They had been among a group of young people travelling in a Volkswagen Golf for a night out when the vehicle crashed on Saturday, reports Breaking News.
Mr McCluskey, his girlfriend Chloe McGee, 23, from Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan, and their friends Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee, Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross, and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland, all died in the collision.
President Catherine Connolly was among those who attended both funerals on Friday, reports Breaking News.
Bishop Michael Router said the deaths had left communities locally and nationwide “shocked and grieving”.
Ahead of Mr McCluskey’s funeral in Drumconrath, dozens of tractors were lined along the main street as large crowds gathered, reports Breaking News.
His sisters and parents laid their hands on the wooden coffin, which displayed a yellow licence plate reading “ALAN”, as it was carried into the packed church.
Parish priest Father Finian Connaughton told mourners that he had been holding a small ceremony in the church when the “horrible news” of the crash began to emerge last Sunday, reports Breaking News.
He said he had baptised Mr McCluskey 22 years ago and had been present for his first communion and confirmation.
He said the sense of heartbreak and disappointment at Mr McCluskey’s death was “beyond words”, reports Breaking News.
The community, he added, had gathered in grief, anger and confusion, “carrying a burden that at times seems unmanageable and almost overwhelming”.
“Even as we carry out the funeral rituals, there is still an air of disbelief, incomprehension that this is happening, happening to someone who sat in these benches two Sundays ago, someone we saw driving his van down the street a very short time ago”, reports Breaking News.
For the offertory symbols, Mr McCluskey’s parents Martin and Bernie brought forward family photographs and pictures of Alan with his girlfriend Chloe to reflect “the people he loved most, who shaped him, supported him and meant everything to him”, his brother-in-law Conleth McAlinden said.
Mr McCluskey’s work boots, hard hat and favourite tape were carried up to represent “the work that Alan loved so much” and “the passion he had for doing a job well”, reports Breaking News.
A yellow licence plate crafted by friends symbolised his love of cars and machinery; his pint glass signified “the craic he had with the boys”; and his favourite going-out shirt was also included.
Models of a teleporter, a John Deere tractor and cows were offered to represent his love of farming and the work “that brought him so much pride and joy”, reports Breaking News.
An Emirates plane ticket and a camera were brought up to show his love for “experiences and seeing the world”.
His sister Sharon performed *Angel* and shared a reflection about her brother, the youngest in the family, whom she described as “the miracle boy”, reports Breaking News.
Father Connaughton said Mr McCluskey was religious and attended mass most Sundays.
“Other stories I heard over the past few days show a very caring side to his nature. Ever on the lookout for lads that might be mixing with the wrong company,” he said, reports Breaking News.
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“In the house the other morning, I was asking Martin, trying to pick up bits and pieces I could talk about today. I said to Martin, ‘You mentioned something there about looking after lads’. The next thing a young fella from the end of the door says ‘he saved me’. And I said, ‘what’s the story?’ He said ‘I was only after starting in secondary school and I got in with the wrong crowd and was heading in the wrong direction.’”
“Alan took me aside and said ‘Now you leave those crowd, get your self sorted out’, reports Breaking News.
“I said ‘What age were you then?’ ‘14.’ ‘What age was Alan?’ ‘14’”, reports Breaking News.
“Even at that stage, always watching out for his friends”,
Three hours later, crowds gathered at a church in Co Louth for the funeral of 23-year-old Dylan Commins, reports Breaking News.
The hearse arrived at the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Ardee, accompanied by a bright red Toyota Chaser transported on the back of a recovery truck.
The hearse carrying his coffin featured a “DYLAN” number plate, and a solemn atmosphere fell as his family walked arm-in-arm into the church, reports Breaking News.
Delivering the eulogy, Mr Commins’ sister Lauren said he had brought “light, laughter, and adventure into all our lives”.
She said his adventurous spirit “carried him through every chapter of his life”, reports Breaking News.
She said he joined the Milverton Motocross Club and went on to win “many” trophies, adding that cars eventually became “the great love of his life”.
While in Transition Year, Dylan and two friends qualified for the Mini Company All-Ireland Final with dog beds they crafted from tyres, calling it “the most Dylan business ever”, reports Breaking News.
He later emigrated to Australia and “worked hard in the mines” before returning home after 10 months to establish Coole Automotive, his transport and recovery business, and “talked about becoming a millionaire”.
“If life had given him the time, he absolutely would have made it happen,” she said,
“But on 15 November, those dreams were cut heartbreakingly short, alongside the lives of his friends, and nothing will ever be the same again”,
She added: “Dylan lived quickly, loved deeply, and laughed loudly. He left an imprint on everyone he met – through his friendship, his mischief, his kindness, and his unstoppable determination.”
“Though his life was far too short, it was packed with adventure, with bravery, with joy, and with the love of family and friends who adored him”,
“Rest easy Dylan, the showman. Your journey was wild, bright, and unforgettable – and your story will live on in all of us”,
Among the items chosen to symbolise his life was a personalised number plate representing his “strong friendships” and a family photograph to “represent the memories that will continue to hold us together”, Dylan’s cousin Daniel Commins said, reports Breaking News.
A photograph of Dylan’s lorry and his boots symbolised his “thriving business”, while one of his “many scrambling trophies” represented his love for the Milverton Motocross Club.
A Winnie the Pooh teddy, an Advent calendar and a Santy letter were brought forward to “represent his softer side”, reports Breaking News.
Father Francesco Campiello said “there are no words” were “basically the only words that were pronounced by most people after what happened last Saturday night”.
“Usually we are full of words to comment on all the different aspects of life, but when death appears, and especially a tragic death like this, all our eloquence vanishes and we find ourselves speechless”, reports Breaking News.
“Sometimes when we experience great joys, we don’t find the words to describe joy. This is true also for sorrow, in this moment, there are no words to express this sorrow. So we are reduced to silence”,
He described Mr Commins as having a “restlessness inside” and as someone who was “constantly moving”, reports Breaking News.
“From one sport to the other, from one job to the other, from Ireland to Australia and back to Ireland, his life represents well this restlessness, which deep down is the desire for a full life and meaningful life,” reports Breaking News..
He added: “Ten years ago my brother died in a car accident at the age of 18, so I know what you are going through. I can tell you that there is hope. Don’t think of him as part of your past. He is still in your present. Denise I know you like hugs, so if on Saturday you didn’t manage to hug Dylan, don’t worry, you will hug him, you will give him a great hug in the future,” reports Breaking News..
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