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by Linda McGrory
MARK McLaughlin only ever wanted to drive a truck
and was never happier when he eventually got himself
an 8-wheel artic, mourners at his funeral yesterday
were told.
The 21 year old, started work at a local quarry at
the age of 15 but had to wait some years before he
was allowed behind the wheel.
Fahan parish priest, Fr Neil McGoldrick, said the
young man was in the "fullness of good health" and
"far too young to die".
"On Sunday night, a shockwave rolled through this
area. Someone described it as a tsunami rolling
across Inishowen, overwhelming us all," said the
priest.
"Surely no words can adequately describe that harsh
reality that has left Mark's family and so many
others feeling stunned and helpless. Eight deaths,
seven young people, all gone in an instant - how can
this be?
"Then on Monday, the sight of hearse after hearse,
cortege after cortege, passing through on the way to
Fahan, Clonmany and Buncrana was a sight you would
never forget - so deeply, deeply distressing." |
Mark's uncle Pat died
suddenly in February and who could have guessed that
five months later, uncle and nephew would be lying
side by side in joint graves, the congregation
heard.
Up to 600 mourners packed into St Mura's Church and
grounds in Fahan for yesterday's 11am requiem mass.
Chief mourners were his parents John and Roma and
brother Damian.
Mark was described as a "highly respected young man"
who worked very hard. "He never missed a day, was
dependable and able to take the initiative. He would
do any job he was asked to do, small or big, would
have gone out early morning till late at night, no
bother, if he was asked."
The priest told the story of a prank his friends
planned to play on him for his recent 21st birthday.
He would not divulge the prank to the congregation
but said Mark was wise to it. "Cute boy that he was,
he went to bed and wasn't seen for two days."
He was buried immediately afterwards in the
adjoining cemetery. |
