THE deaths of two teenagers in a road crash in St Johnston this week has created a grief which ‘feels unbearable’, a priest said today.
Father Michael McGavigan was speaking at the first funeral of the young victims.
Caoimhin Porter-McLoone and Daniel Cullen, who were both 18, died when the car they were travelling in collided with a lorry in the Donegal border village on Tuesday night.
A third teenager, also aged 18 and who was driving the car, remains in hospital.
All three teenagers were from the Shantallow area of Derry.
Speaking at Caoimhin’s Requiem Mass this morning at St Brigid’s Church in Derry, Fr McGavigan said the tragedy had left ‘many hearts broken’.
“And yet when we speak about Caoimhin what shines through so clearly is not only the sadness of his death, but the goodness of his life.
“He was known as a kind-hearted, caring, handsome, funny young man, but also a deep thinker, an old soul, wise beyond his years.
“He loved deep conversations. He was interested in philosophy and the bigger questions of life.
“He had a way of thinking things through and talking things out, a way of seeing beyond the surface.”
Fr McGavigan said Caoimhin had been a big Manchester United fan, and a hat and scarf of the club were brought to the altar during today’s Mass.
The teenager also loved to play his PlayStation and listen to music through his headphones.
“His playlist said a lot about him. Eminem, Fleetwood Mac, Ossie Osbourne, a mix that matched his personality,” said Fr McGavigan.
“More recently, he had started going to the gym, looking after himself, taking pride in things. He was preparing to attend interview sessions, ready to start work and to step into adulthood.
“He had plans to travel. With his interest in architecture, he wanted to see historic places like Edinburgh and Rome.
“He planned to go to Man United this year, a special connection with his father, Darren, with whom he shared that love of football.”
Fr McGavigan said Caoimhin was sensitive and able to sense when someone ‘needed a lift’.
“He always tried to see the good in people and that tells us everything about the kind of young man he was,” added the priest.
Following the Mass, Caoimhin was buried in Derry’s City Cemetery with his father Darren, who died in 2024.
Daniel Cullen will be buried tomorrow following Requiem Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Derry.
