Heartbreaking tributes at funeral of Mayo teenager
The funeral took place today of Mayo teenager James Daniels who lost his life in a road accident on Friday.
There were moving tributes today at the funeral of 13-year-old James Daniels who lost his life in a road accident at the weekend.
The crash, involving a tractor and a car, happened on the N83 at Levallyroe on Friday night.
Thirteen-year-old James and 19-year-old Harry Fagan were fatally injured. Harry’s funeral mass takes place tomorrow.
Another teenage boy who was travelling in the same car was seriously injured and remains in hospital.
The funeral mass of James, from Swinefield, Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, took place at St Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad today.
James’ Mum Karen spoke bravely and movingly about her ‘blue-eyed boy’ and the incredible impact he had on others during his tragically short life.
She thanked the community for the “love and kindness” showered upon them following their heart-wrenching loss.
“Our James, our beautiful blue-eyed, sweet baby James. You were a whirlwind of uncontrollable exuberance. You were charismatic, loving, loyal to the core and so, so funny. One of your friends described your personality this week as magnetic,” Karen told mourners in the packed church.
She told all his many friends at Ballyhaunis Community School and Cloonfad United to “stay strong and not to dwell too long on how he was taken from us.” Karen said James was a devoted big brother to Zachary and the pair created memories that will last forever.
She thanked the Fagan family for the love and kindness that they gave to James over the years.
“Our home was a second home to him, and we know you loved him like a son. He loved you all so much. We are so sorry for the loss of your beautiful young man Harry, taken in his prime. Our precious boys were taken too soon. God bless them both.” Symbols of James’ life were brought to the altar. They included a football, his Cloonfad United jersey, soccer medal, and his mobile phone.
Fr Mark Quinn said it is “impossible to find any words to express the pain, the loss, and the confusion” felt by James’ family and loved ones.
He said the community’s prayers and thought remain with them and the Fagan family.
Fr Quinn urged James’ classmates and friends to remember all the good times they had together and to reach out and talk following their loss.
“Losing a friend, a classmate, a teammate the same age as yourself can be incredibly difficult. It’s hard to understand and it’s okay to feel sad, confused or even angry. Those feelings are there because you loved James, you loved him very much. He brought joy to your lives, his spirit, his laugher, and his kindness are what you will miss. The best way to honour him is not only by remembering the good times you had together, but by imitating his great qualities. By being a great friend to one another and by looking out for one another,” said Fr Quinn.
