Huge crowds gather for funeral of teen killed following motorbike crash

Huge crowds gathered for the funeral of a Mayo teenager who tragically died following a motorbike accident.

Eighteen-year-old Leaving Cert student Kacper Swierkowski, from Knockaphunta Park, Castlebar, lost his life following the single-vehicle crash on March 13.

Kacper’s funeral mass took place at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar this morning.

A guard of honour was provided for Kacper by his classmates from Davitt College and a convoy of motorcycles took part in the funeral procession.

A photograph of Kacper in his school uniform was placed on the coffin and a picture of Kasper on his motorbike sat in front of the altar.

“We gather here in the Church in great sadness as we mourn Kacper’s tragic and untimely death,” said Fr Shane Costello at the outset of the Mass.

Fr Costello said Kasper’s death came as a “devastating shock” to his family, friends, and the wider community.

He said it was heartwarming to see the goodwill and support provided to the family following their heartbreaking loss.

Kasper was the loving son the son of Robert and Jolanta and adored brother of David and Patryk.

Jolanta delivered a eulogy in her native Polish and there were moving words from his brothers David and Patryk and friends Daniel and David.

Kasper was described as honest, hardworking, and an incredibly intelligent young man. His friends said there was “no-one like Kacper.” They said he had so many dreams and plans for the future that will sadly never be fulfilled.

David and Patryk said Kacper was the perfect example of what a brother should be and they could always rely on him no matter what.

His brothers said Kacper was the most naturally intelligent person they knew and they struggled to compete with his academic abilities and achievements. “It was so effortless for him,” they said.

David and Patryk said they were always impressed with their brother’s remarkable work ethic and he was always keen to help his parents.

The funeral mass heard that the teenager was an ‘adrenaline junkie’ who loved adventure. He scuba-dived, skied, participated in airsoft and “most of all he loved to ride his motorbike.” “He wanted everyone around him to experience the same adrenaline rush he did,” said his brothers.

“We were all wary of Kacper getting a bike but he made his own money and spent it on a dream he had, making it the happiest we have ever seen him,” they stated.

“Overall our parents raised a fantastic son, a son that always found time to stop for a chat in his busy life, a son that would never leave anyone behind, a son that would sacrifice his own good for someone else and a son that we always look up to,” David and Patryk added.

Symbols of Kacper’s passions and interests were brought to the altar during the Mass. They included an engineer project, an airsoft gun, a motorcycle toy and glove, scuba diving gear and a photograph of Kacper and his friends.